ORS 285A.167
Broadband Fund
- use of moneys
- authority to contract
(1)
The Broadband Fund is established, separate and distinct from the General Fund. Interest earned by the Broadband Fund shall be credited to the fund. Moneys in the Broadband Fund are continuously appropriated to the Oregon Business Development Department to be used by the Oregon Broadband Office for the following purposes:(a)
Administering the office;(b)
Carrying out the duties of the office listed in ORS 285A.166 (Oregon Broadband Office);(c)
Providing grants or loans through the program established by rule under section 5, chapter 17, Oregon Laws 2020 (first special session);(d)
Providing financial assistance under ORS 285A.180 (Financial assistance programs to support broadband access); and(e)
Covering the administrative costs associated with the fund and with making grants, loans and other distributions of moneys from the fund.(2)
The fund consists of:(a)
Moneys appropriated or transferred to the fund by the Legislative Assembly;(b)
Moneys transferred to the fund pursuant to ORS 759.425 (Universal service fund);(c)
Loans repaid to the fund and interest due on the loans;(d)
Amounts donated to the fund;(e)
Moneys transferred to the fund from the federal government, state agencies or local governments;(f)
Lottery bond proceeds allocated by the Legislative Assembly for deposit in the fund;(g)
Earnings received on moneys in the fund; and(h)
Other amounts deposited in the fund from any sources.(3)
The Broadband Fund is established to provide a flexible funding source for financing programs and projects that support broadband access, affordability or adoption in this state and to support the office in carrying out the duties of the office listed under ORS 285A.166 (Oregon Broadband Office). Notwithstanding ORS 279A.140 (State procurement of goods and services), the department may enter into contracts as necessary or appropriate to implement programs or projects determined by the department to further broadband access, affordability or adoption.(4)
The department may:(a)
Adopt objective criteria and standards for the use and allocation of moneys in the Broadband Fund.(b)
Establish accounts and subaccounts within the fund when the department determines that accounts or subaccounts are necessary or desirable. [2020 s.s.1 c.17 §4; 2022 c.76 §1; 2023 c.338 §2](a)
Administering the office;(b)
Carrying out the duties of the office listed in ORS 285A.166 (Oregon Broadband Office);(c)
Providing financial assistance under ORS 285A.180 (Financial assistance programs to support broadband access); and(d)
Covering the administrative costs associated with the fund and with making grants, loans and other distributions of moneys from the fund.(2)
The fund consists of:(a)
Moneys appropriated or transferred to the fund by the Legislative Assembly;(b)
Loans repaid to the fund and interest due on the loans;(c)
Amounts donated to the fund;(d)
Moneys transferred to the fund from the federal government, state agencies or local governments;(e)
Lottery bond proceeds allocated by the Legislative Assembly for deposit in the fund;(f)
Earnings received on moneys in the fund; and(g)
Other amounts deposited in the fund from any sources.(3)
The Broadband Fund is established to provide a flexible funding source for financing programs and projects that support broadband access, affordability or adoption in this state and to support the office in carrying out the duties of the office listed under ORS 285A.166 (Oregon Broadband Office). Notwithstanding ORS 279A.140 (State procurement of goods and services), the department may enter into contracts as necessary or appropriate to implement programs or projects determined by the department to further broadband access, affordability or adoption.(4)
The department may:(a)
Adopt objective criteria and standards for the use and allocation of moneys in the Broadband Fund.(b)
Establish accounts and subaccounts within the fund when the department determines that accounts or subaccounts are necessary or desirable.(a)
The planning and development of broadband service infrastructure;(b)
Digital literacy including cybersecurity;(c)
Digital inclusion; and(d)
Digital adoption.(2)
The program shall be funded only by moneys transferred to the Broadband Fund established under section 4, chapter 17, Oregon Laws 2020 (first special session) [285A.167 (Broadband Fund)], pursuant to ORS 759.425 (Universal service fund).(3)
In establishing the program required by this section, the department shall take into consideration all federal funding opportunities for the planning and development of broadband service infrastructure and shall endeavor to administer the program in a manner that serves to maximize the total available state and federal support for broadband development and related planning. [2020 s.s.1 c.17 §5; 2023 c.338 §4](2)
Any moneys in the Broadband Fund established under section 4, chapter 17, Oregon Laws 2020 (first special session) [285A.167 (Broadband Fund)], that are from the universal service fund established under ORS 759.425 (Universal service fund) and that are unexpended and unobligated on January 2, 2030, revert to the universal service fund established under ORS 759.425 (Universal service fund). [2020 s.s.1 c.17 §9; 2023 c.338 §6]
Source:
Section 285A.167 — Broadband Fund; use of moneys; authority to contract, https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors285A.html (accessed May 26, 2025).