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H 170

IDAHO BROADBAND ADVISORY BOARD – Amends existing law to revise the composition of the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board and to provide that any grant award process shall be conducted by an independent third party.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Requires grants for broadband projects to be awarded by an independent third party, overseen by a restructured Idaho Broadband Advisory Board, effective July 1, 2025.

Reported Printed and Referred to Environment, Energy & Technology
#boards #commerce #grants #scienceandtechnology
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Bill Summary · H 170

Idaho H 170 – Idaho Broadband Advisory Board: Summary

Overview

House Bill 170 (H 170) would amend Idaho Code to revise the composition of the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board and require that grant award processes be conducted by an independent third party. The bill includes an emergency clause, making the act effective July 1, 2025, and has been reported printed and referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

Key Provisions

  • Broadband Advisory Board composition (amended):
    • The board is housed within the Department of Commerce and will include:
    • 3 House of Representatives members (appointed by the Speaker)
    • 3 Senate members (appointed by the President Pro Tempore)
    • 1 nonvoting member with broadband experience appointed by the Speaker
    • 1 nonvoting member with broadband experience appointed by the President Pro Tempore
    • 3 public members appointed by the Governor
  • Grant process oversight (new requirement):
    • Any grant award process for broadband projects must be conducted and evaluated by an independent third party.
    • The independent third party shall provide recommendations to the advisory board.
  • Plan development and collaboration:
    • The advisory board will create a statewide broadband plan to structure, prioritize, and disperse grants from the Idaho broadband fund to underserved areas.
    • The board shall solicit participation and assistance from state agencies with relevant expertise.
    • State agencies must cooperate by providing requested research, information, and studies related to the statewide broadband plan.
  • Adoption and implementation:
    • After adoption by a majority vote of the advisory board, the plan must be filed with the Governor, posted on the board’s or Department of Commerce website, and disseminated as determined appropriate.
    • Following adoption, the board will administer implementation and revise the plan as needed.
  • Agency petitions for revision:
    • Any state agency may petition to revise the statewide broadband plan.
    • The board must review such petitions within three months and either revise the plan or explain in writing why action was denied.

Who/What is Affected

  • State governance: Idaho Broadband Advisory Board membership and voting dynamics.
  • Grant administration: Grants from the Idaho broadband fund will be awarded through an independent third party, rather than directly by the board.
  • Broadband projects and funding: Planning, prioritization, and dispersal of funds to areas of greatest need.
  • State agencies: Participation in plan development; compliance with information requests; potential involvement in plan revisions.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Effective date: July 1, 2025 (emergency clause triggers immediate effect upon enactment).
  • Status in committee process: Reported Printed and Referred to Environment, Energy & Technology; introduced February 7, 2025.
  • Additional procedural notes: The bill contains an emergency clause, indicating the intent for immediate effect upon enactment.

Fiscal Impact

  • Per the fiscal note accompanying the measure, the legislation would cause no increase or decrease in revenue and no additional expenditures at the state or local level; it is stated to have no fiscal impact.

Potential Implications

  • Introducing nonvoting broadband-experienced members could broaden expertise on the board without altering voting power.
  • Requiring an independent third party for grant awarding aims to enhance transparency and objectivity in funding decisions.
  • The emergency clause accelerates implementation, potentially expediting broadband planning and funding, but also concentrates early operational changes within an upcoming fiscal year.

If you’d like, I can add a concise comparison to current law or provide a plain-language briefing for non-expert audiences.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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