Whereas, access to Broadband Internet is necessary to participate in many facets of daily life in Montana including the need to learn online, to apply for jobs, to work remotely, and to communicate with medical providers; and

Whereas, Broadband Internet access is a human right; and

Whereas, access to Broadband Internet is limited or unavailable in many areas of Montana; and

Whereas, the cost of Broadband Internet may not be affordable to many Montanans; and

Whereas, opportunities to grow the economy of the State of Montana and to compete nationally in a variety of economic sectors are negatively impacted by the lack of Broadband Internet; and

Whereas, the federal government makes millions of dollars available for Broadband Internet deployment that Montana could leverage; and

Whereas, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the significance of the digital divide that exists between those Montanans who have access to Broadband Internet and those who do not;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Montana Library Association (MLA) supports legislation that promotes Broadband Internet in our communities.

Adopted by the Montana Library Association

April 4, 2022