Bill
AB 2289
Creates a centralized Office of Broadband and Digital Equity and a Broadband Commission to consolidate funding, regulate, and accelerate statewide broadband deployment and digital
AB 2289 (2025-2026) – Comprehensive overview and summary
Section 1: Main purpose and intent
- Establishes a broad reorganization of California’s broadband and digital equity framework within the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Government/General Codes.
- Creates a centralized Office of Broadband and Digital Equity to advance universal broadband deployment and adoption, effective July 1, 2028.
- Reconstitutes the California Broadband Council as a committee of a new Broadband Commission and phases out certain existing programs and offices, transferring functions and funds to the new Office.
- Recharacterizes and consolidates several funding streams and program responsibilities related to broadband access, middle-mile networks, and disability-related telecommunications programs.
Section 2: Key structural changes and provisions
- Creation of the Broadband Commission (a new body) with specified, diverse membership; on July 1, 2028, the California Broadband Council becomes a committee of the Broadband Commission.
- Establishment of the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity (Office) to lead statewide broadband deployment and digital equity efforts; the Office will set rules/regulations for broadband internet access service and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) after July 1, 2028.
- Administrative realignment (effective July 1, 2028):
- The Office will assume administrative duties of several programs: California Teleconnect Fund, California Advanced Services Fund, Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP), and the Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund.
- Moneys in the Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund, when appropriated, would be available to the Office to finance broadband infrastructure deployment by local government bodies or nonprofits.
- The statewide broadband accessibility map would be transferred to the Office.
- The Office would assume duties of the statewide open-access middle-mile network program (previously housed with the Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy), and transfer administration of the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act to the Office.
- Open-access middle-mile network development would prioritize last-mile connections to underserved areas and coordinate with grant programs such as California Advanced Services Fund, federal BEAD, and other state/federal funding sources.
- Repeal/restructuring of certain programs and authorities:
- Repeals or replaces several prior provisions and sunset dates; many provisions are set to become operative on July 1, 2028, or repeal on July 1, 2028 (with some sections becoming operative later or repealed by 2029).
- The bill expressly repeals the California Broadband Council as an independent entity and places its function into the Broadband Commission framework.
- Some open-access middle-mile network provisions previously overseen by the Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy would be repealed or shifted to the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity.
Section 3: Effects on entities and programs
- Public Utilities Commission (PUC): retains regulatory authority over public utilities, including telecommunications, but broadens and centralizes broadband administration under the new Office and Commission structure.
- Local governments and nonprofits: gain new or enhanced access to loan programs and state funding to deploy broadband infrastructure, with oversight and financing channeled through the Office.
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities: ongoing support through the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) remains part of the portfolio, but funding and administration would be consolidated under the Office.
- Broadband funding streams: California Advanced Services Fund, California Teleconnect Fund, and DDTP will be administered by the new Office; the Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund will be available to the Office for deployment financing.
Section 4: Procedural and timeline aspects
- Effective implementation of the major reforms is contingent on voter approval of ACA 9 of the 2025-26 session (as noted in the recodification language).
- By July 1, 2028, the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity becomes the sole centralized state department for broadband and digital equity activities and the hub for rules/regulations governing broadband service and ISPs.
- The Administration and operational handoffs to the Office (including map maintenance, fund administration, and middle-mile open-access network duties) are anticipated to occur on or after July 1, 2028, with specific sections taking effect at that time or subsequently.
Section 5: Additional notes
- Text changes indicate alignment of certain professional scopes (e.g., physician assistants performing certain medical-related regulatory tasks) and broad ratioing of privacy-related definitions (Civil Code sections 1798.91) to accompany broadband-related policy shifts.
- The bill includes several technical and transitional provisions, including repeals, operative dates, and sunset clauses, designed to reorganize rather than simply add programs.
Overall effect
- AB 2289 aims to centralize, modernize, and accelerate California’s broadband deployment and digital equity efforts by creating a centralized Office of Broadband and Digital Equity and a Broadband Commission, transferring and consolidating multiple programs and funds, and setting a path for more coordinated state leadership in broadband infrastructure, middle-mile networks, adoption programs, and related regulatory framework. The major structural changes are planned to take effect mid-to-late 2020s, contingent on broader constitutional and ballot actions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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