Bill Text: MO HB898 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes the Council on Digital Inclusion
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-04-12 - Referred: Elementary and Secondary Education (H) [HB898 Detail]
Download: Missouri-2011-HB898-Introduced.html
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE SMITH (71).
2001L.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 37, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to the council on digital inclusion.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 37, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 37.050, to read as follows:
37.050. 1. The "Council on Digital Inclusion" is hereby created. The council shall be composed of eight individuals appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate. Each of the following groups shall be represented on the council:
(1) Community technology organizations;
(2) Telecommunications providers;
(3) Higher education;
(4) Elementary and secondary education;
(5) Public health;
(6) Public housing;
(7) Local government entities engaged in community technology activities; and
(8) The office of administration.
2. Each individual shall be appointed to the council for three years, except that the terms of the original appointments may be staggered so as to prevent more than three terms from ever expiring in the same year. Individuals may be reappointed. The council may meet at its discretion as it deems necessary to fulfill its duties, but shall not meet less than four times per year. Council members shall not receive compensation for their duties but shall receive reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
3. The council shall:
(1) Serve in an advisory capacity to the office of administration regarding broadband deployment and digital inclusion;
(2) Make recommendations regarding broadband access and digital inclusion initiatives in communities and schools to ensure equitable access for all citizens of the state;
(3) Undertake a thorough review of grant programs available through the federal government, local agencies, telecommunications providers, and business and charitable entities for the purposes of identifying appropriate sources of revenues for broadband deployment and digital inclusion initiatives and attempt to update available grants on a regular basis;
(4) Analyze how support from public and private sector partnerships, the philanthropic community, and other not-for-profit organizations in the community, along with strong relationships with the state board of education and higher education institutions, builds a sustainable infrastructure that provides a variety of digital access alternatives for citizens;
(5) Plan for long-term technological sustainability to help the state meet a variety of economic, health care, environmental, and educational goals and ensure prolonged access to economic opportunity in our digital economy;
(6) Research and catalog programs designed to advance digital literacy and computer access that are available through the federal government, local agencies, telecommunications providers, and business and charitable entities and attempt to update available programs on a regular basis; and
(7) Present the information compiled under this section to the office of administration, which is the main point of contact for state broadband and digital inclusion initiatives.
•
