Governor Newsom Signs Broadband Legislation and Assembly Member Santiago Responds

(Sacramento, CA) – Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) released the following statement upon Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of AB 4 and SB 14:

“My colleagues Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry and Senator Gonzalez have led the effort throughout the pandemic to prioritize closing the digital divide,” said Assembly Member Santiago.

“I congratulate them on the signing of SB 4 and AB 14, which I co-authored. These companion bills will ensure an ongoing source of state funding for broadband infrastructure and digital equity projects in communities that need it. Along with the $6 billion dollar budget investment we made this year, the Legislature and Governor are working together to invest in building back a California for all!”

AB 4 (Aguiar-Curry) and SB 14 (Gonzalez) are companion bills that extend funding for the California Advanced Service Fund (CASF) program. The CASF program is administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and provides grants to fund last-mile broadband infrastructure and digital equity projects across the state. Under the bills, the CPUC is authorized to collect up to $150,000,000 per year until 2032 to fund and administer the program.

Assemblymember Miguel Santiago is the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance Committee and the Assembly Select Committee on Los Angeles County Homelessness. He also sits on the Assembly Committee on Health, Public Safety, Higher Education and Utilities and Energy. He represents the 53rd District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Vernon.