Action Alert: Support the Oregon Broadband Funding Bill (HB 3201)

Editor’s Note: Legislators are considering this bill now. Take action and tell legislators to support this bill!

While you may be reading this message online, many Oregonians are still unable to access the internet. Our state needs to improve broadband infrastructure and service so more communities can get connected.

This year, the Oregon Broadband Funding Bill (HB 3201) would help our state access nearly $700 million in federal funding. These funds would go towards expanding service to communities that have little or no access to broadband internet.

The internet is no longer a luxury.
It’s a necessity for staying connected to resources and community.

Getting Oregon Connected

If passed this year, the Oregon Broadband Funding Bill (HB 3201) would help our state access nearly $700 million in federal funding. These funds would go towards communities that have little or no access to broadband internet.

In 2022, Congress passed two measures to improve broadband service and infrastructure. HB 3201 aims to bring Oregon statutes into alignment with federal rules. Oregon could receive up to $700 million in funding to expand internet access across the state. Without this bill’s passage, we could lose out on these funds and our ability to expand broadband access.

These funds would go towards communities that have little or no access to broadband internet. They would also go toward tribal communities across the state. The goal is to improve digital equity so more people in Oregon can access high-quality internet service.

Broadband Internet is Not a Luxury

The internet is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity for staying connected to resources and community. Our jobs, schools, healthcare, and communities are online.

During the early days of the pandemic, we saw a deep digital divide across our communities. Those who didn’t have access to internet services were essentially left behind. Schools moved online, making it difficult for children to learn without the internet. Healthcare became virtual, leaving many without access to telehealth. This divide largely still remains today.

While the shutdown is over, many are still maintaining their distance for health reasons. Immunocompromised Oregonians may choose online services. Without broadband internet, accessing telehealth and other services can be incredibly difficult for this group to do safely.

Many high-paying jobs are still at least partially remote. Without access to broadband internet, many Oregonians are unable to get these jobs. This is especially true for those in more rural areas, where remote work could mean higher wages and a wider range of job opportunities.

Without high-quality broadband, many are missing out on essential services, communication tools, and high-paying jobs.

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