§ 11549.56

(a) All state agencies shall work in cooperation to expedite the delivery and permitting of the statewide open-access middle-mile broadband network.

(b) The office shall consider adopting rules to encourage or require internet services providers that use the statewide open-access middle-mile broadband network to participate in the lifeline program pursuant to the Moore Universal Telephone Service Act (Article 8 (commencing with Section 871) of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code) and the federal lifeline program.

(c) The Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2) does not apply to regulations related to the operation of the statewide open-access middle-mile broadband network adopted by the office or a state agency assigned by the office to operate the broadband network.

(d) The Legislature finds and declares that the statewide open-access middle-mile broadband network serves a public purpose. Notwithstanding Section 104.12 of the Streets and Highways Code and any other applicable law, any lease of public property for purposes of the statewide open-access middle-mile broadband network may be made for less than fair market value.

(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 112, Sec. 3. (SB 156) Effective July 20, 2021.)