Definitions

As used in the Essential Services Development Act: A. "broadband telecommunications network facilities" means the electronics, equipment, transmission facilities, fiber-optic cables and any other item directly related to a system capable of transmission of internet protocol or other formatted data at current federal communications commission baseline speed standard, all of which will be owned and used by a provider of internet access services; B. "division" means the local government division of the department of finance and administration; C. "essential services project" or "project" means an infrastructure project that allows access to internet, energy, water and wastewater services primarily for residential purposes; D. "governing body" means the city council, city commission or board of trustees of a municipality or the board of county commissioners of a county; E. "local government" means a municipality or county; F. "municipality" means an incorporated city, town or village; G. "person" means an individual, corporation, association, partnership or other legal entity; H. "public support" means the provision of assistance by the state to provide direct or indirect assistance to support an essential services project, including for the provision of: (1) land, buildings or other infrastructure by purchase, lease, grant, construction, reconstruction, improvement or other acquisition or conveyance; (2) the placement of new broadband telecommunications network facilities; provided that the facilities shall not serve a public facility or location that already meets federal communications commission baseline speed standards; (3) rights-of-way infrastructure, including trenching and conduit, for the placement of new broadband telecommunications network facilities; (4) public works improvements essential to the location or expansion of a qualifying entity; (5) payments for professional services contracts necessary to implement an essential services plan or provide public support for an essential services project; (6) direct loans or grants for land, buildings or infrastructure; (7) loan guarantees securing the cost of land, buildings or infrastructure; and (8) grants for public works infrastructure improvements; and I. "regional government" means any combination of municipalities and counties that enter into a joint powers agreement to provide public support for economic development projects pursuant to a plan adopted by all parties to the joint powers agreement. History: Laws 2025, ch. 125, § 2.