Enacts GS 153A-275.1 authorizing a county to provide infrastructure for the purpose of expanding high-speed internet access service in unserved areas of the county to promote and encourage economic development. Defines high-speed internet access service and unserved area. Specifies that the infrastructure can include, but is not limited to, conduit, fiber-optic cable, and fiber-optic wire. Authorizes the county to lease the infrastructure to unaffiliated, qualified private providers of high-speed internet access service. Requires any leases under this statute to comply with the provisions of Article 8 of GS Chapter 143 (concerning county property), and to be awarded on a technology-neutral basis. Requires the county to use only unrestricted general fund revenue to provide the authorized infrastructure. Clarifies that the statute does not permit a county to provide internet service.
Makes conforming changes to amend GS 153A-274 to include high-speed internet access service to the defined term public enterprise, as used in Article 15 of GS Chapter 153A (Public Enterprises).
COUNTIES/INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE.
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View NCGA Bill Details(link is external) | 2017-2018 Session |
AN ACT AUTHORIZING COUNTIES TO PROVIDE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE AS A PUBLIC ENTERPRISE.Intro. by J. Davis, Ballard, Foushee.
Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate Action) (Mar 8 2017)
Bill History:
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Tue, 7 Mar 2017 Senate: Filed(link is external)
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Wed, 8 Mar 2017 Senate: Passed 1st Reading(link is external)
S 208
Bill Summaries:
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Bill S 208 (2017-2018)Summary date: Mar 7 2017 - View Summary
View: All Summaries for Bill
Identical to H 390 filed on 3/15/17.