Bill Summaries: all (2017-2018 Session)

Tracking:
  • Summary date: Feb 9 2017 - View summary

    Identical to H 68, filed 2/8/17.

    Includes several whereas clauses.

    Currently, GS 143B-472.127 authorizes the Rural Economic Development Division to administer economic development grants or loans awarded by the Rural Infrastructure Authority, as provided in GS 143B-472.128, to local government units to be used in specified programs. The statute is amended to authorize funds from these grants or loans to also be used to construct the digital infrastructure needed to support broadband, computing, and communications components where these facilities will generate private job-creating investment. Exempts grants under this subdivision from the provisions of GS 143-355.4 (concerning local government water system efficiency requirements).

    Amends GS 143-128.1C(a) to expand the definition of a public-private project in the context of construction to mean a capital improvement project undertaken for the benefit of a governmental entity and a private developer pursuant to a development contract that includes construction of a public facility or other improvements that also include digital infrastructure to support broadband, computing, and communications components.

    Adds to the powers and duties of the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Board) as follows. Directs the Board to annually report on the impact that technology and innovation in the BRIGHT markets is having on economic growth and development in the State, including recommendations for increasing that impact, to the Governor, the chairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, the Fiscal Research Division, the Secretary of Commerce, and any nonprofit with which the Department of Commerce contracts under GS 143B-431.01. Defines BRIGHT markets to mean broadband, retail online services, the internet of things, the power grid, health care, and training and education market segments. Specifies what the Board's annual report must include.

    Amends GS 115D-5.1 to require the State Board of Community Colleges to include in its annual report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee an assessment of how the Customized Training Program (created by the statute) has been used to support companies in BRIGHT Market segments, including recommendations on how efforts can be expanded or aligned with nondegree certification programs to increase employment in jobs in the NCWorks Online system.

    Amends GS 143B-438.14, which establishes the "No Adult Left Behind" Initiative, to add a new subsection to direct the NCWorks Commission (Commission) to submit an annual report regarding BRIGHT Market segments to the Governor and Chairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, the Chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Natural and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division. Specifies what the Commission's annual report must include.

    Amends SL 2016-94, Section 15.1, to require the Department of Commerce to supplement the report submitted pursuant to subsection (b) of the statute with three additional evaluations and recommendations relating to BRIGHT Market segments, as specified. Defines BRIGHT Market and digital infrastructure.