The Town Crier - Legislative Backgrounder

Below are announcements and application instructions for various competitive federal grants that are available to municipalities that we have not previously shared. We encourage you to review these programs with your Municipal Manager, Public Safety Director, and other personnel as appropriate. 

On Friday, August 26, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced a special ruling that would allow for third-party delivery services of alcoholic beverages to customers. The special ruling authorizes a Third-Party Delivery Permit, which is the functional equivalent of a transportation license, would allow the permit holders to enter into agreements with restaurants, bars, and liquor stores to make deliveries using their own personal vehicles. Permit carriers would not be allowed to leave any alcohol delivery unattended or deliver to individuals who are underage or intoxicated. They are also forbidden to deliver to college campuses. The new third-party delivery service permit will be issued by the ABC and become available on October 1, 2022, at an annual fee of $2,000.

During the August Open Commission Meeting, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced new resources to help more households get enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program:

• The first is the Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program, which will offer $100 million in competitive grant funding to entities working to inform eligible households about Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and assist them with the enrollment process.
• The second is the “Your Home, Your Internet” pilot program, a $10 million program intended to help raise awareness about ACP among households receiving federal housing benefits.