Bill Text: NC S615 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Rural Broadband/Infrastructure
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-30 - Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate [S615 Detail]
Download: North_Carolina-2015-S615-Amended.html
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2015
S 1
SENATE BILL 615
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Short Title: Rural Broadband/Infrastructure. |
(Public) |
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Sponsors: |
Senators Smith‑Ingram, D. Davis (Primary Sponsors); and Van Duyn. |
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Referred to: |
Rules and Operations of the Senate. |
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March 30, 2015
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT To Encourage the development of rural Transportation infrastructure and broadband connectivity by requiring the Department of Transportation to study providing for the creation of a State Broadband Plan by THe Office of the State Chief Information Officer and by specifying that broadband service providers may offer communications and broadband services in areas where the INCUMBENT service provider is not providing broadband service.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that the availability of adequate transportation corridors and community broadband connectivity through the expansion of readily accessible Internet to all of North Carolina's counties is vital for the continued economic prosperity of all the State's citizens. A plan for better transportation access in rural areas and to meet the need for high‑quality digital broadband access is necessary to achieve this end in the quickest and most efficient manner.
SECTION 2.(a) The Department of Transportation shall study the economic impact of transportation connectivity between rural low‑wealth counties and job creation centers (including deepwater ports, major industrial facilities, and other job creation hubs). In particular, the Department shall focus on the US 158 and US 13/17 corridors, and the extension of I‑495 through northeastern North Carolina.
SECTION 2.(b) The Department shall report on the results of its study no later than May 1, 2016, to the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee and include recommendations for necessary legislative action and cost estimates for achieving the objectives set forth in subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION 3.(a) The Office of the State Chief Information Officer, through its Office of Digital Infrastructure, and with the assistance of the Department of Transportation, the Department of Administration, the Department of Commerce, North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, shall develop a State broadband plan to ensure that all citizens of North Carolina have access to broadband capability. The plan shall include the following components:
(1) An analysis of the most effective and efficient mechanisms for ensuring broadband access by all citizens of the State.
(2) A detailed strategy for achieving affordability of such service and maximum utilization of broadband infrastructure and service by the citizens of the State.
(3) An evaluation of the status of deployment of broadband service, including a survey of projects and programs undertaken across the State by commercial broadband providers, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations.
(4) A plan for use of broadband infrastructure and services in advancing consumer welfare, civic participation, public safety and homeland security, community development, health care delivery, energy independence and efficiency, education, worker training, private sector investment, entrepreneurial activity, job creation, and economic growth.
SECTION 3.(b) The Office shall report no later than May 1, 2016, to the Joint Legislative Committee on Information Technology on the State broadband plan and include recommendations for necessary legislative action and cost estimates for achieving the objectives set forth in the plan.
SECTION 4. Funding for the implementation of Section 3 of this act shall be provided by the Office of the State Chief Information Officer, using funds available from the Information Technology Fund. Funding from the implementation of Section 2 of this act shall be provided by the Department of Transportation from funds available to it.
SECTION 5. This act is effective when it becomes law.
