Broadband infrastructure construction projects; fund; grants; transfers from the state highway fund

(a) The secretary of transportation is hereby authorized and empowered to make grants for construction projects, the purpose of which is to expand and improve broadband service in the state of Kansas. The secretary of transportation is authorized to make such grants when working jointly with the office of broadband development within the department of commerce. (b) There is hereby established in the state treasury the broadband infrastructure construction grant fund. All moneys credited to such fund shall be used to provide grants for the expansion of broadband service in the state of Kansas. All expenditures from such fund shall be made in accordance with the provisions of appropriation acts and upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports issued pursuant to vouchers approved by the secretary of transportation or the secretary's designee. (c) Grants made by the secretary of transportation from the broadband infrastructure construction grant fund shall reimburse grant recipients for up to 50% of actual construction costs in expanding and improving broadband service in the state of Kansas. Such grant reimbursements shall be upon such terms and conditions as the secretary of transportation may deem appropriate, in coordination with the secretary of commerce. (d) On July 1, 2020, and each July 1 thereafter through July 1, 2022, the director of accounts and reports shall transfer $5,000,000 from the state highway fund to the broadband infrastructure construction grant fund. On July 1, 2023, and each July 1 thereafter through July 1, 2030, the director of accounts and reports shall transfer $10,000,000 from the state highway fund to the broadband infrastructure construction grant fund. At the end of each fiscal year, the secretary of transportation is hereby authorized to notify the director of accounts and reports to transfer all remaining and unencumbered funds from the broadband infrastructure construction grant fund to the state highway fund.