Bill > SB2782

This bill amends existing Mississippi law concerning the determination and award of funding for broadband infrastructure projects, specifically clarifying the process after preliminary determinations are made by the Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM). BEAM is responsible for reviewing applications for funding to expand broadband internet access. The bill allows BEAM to issue a final decision and award funding after preliminary determinations have been published on its website, and it adds specific procedures for projects serving individual customers (retail end users). For these projects, BEAM will accept public comments and objections for thirty days after preliminary determinations are published, and will investigate these concerns before making a final award. Crucially, BEAM cannot award funding to a project if it's proven that the proposed service area already has broadband or if another provider is actively constructing a network there with completion expected within one year of the application date. The bill also clarifies that trade secrets and proprietary financial information submitted by applicants are exempt from public disclosure.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2782.xml