MUNICIPAL BROADBAND EXPANSION.

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View NCGA Bill Details2019-2020 Session
Senate Bill 769 (Public) Filed Thursday, May 14, 2020
AN ACT TO ENABLE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO BROADBAND FOR THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE.
Intro. by deViere, Searcy, Foushee.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate action) (May 18 2020)

Bill History:

S 769

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: May 15 2020 - View Summary

    Includes whereas clauses.

    Amends GS 160A-321 to allow a city to lease a part of the city-owned public enterprise to be operated and used as a component of a wired or wireless network without a vote of the people. Makes any such lease subject to Article 12 (Sale and Disposition of Property).

    Enacts new GS 153A-460 giving cities and counties authority to purchase, lease, construct, and operate facilities to support intragovernmental services for the city or county's internal governmental purposes; specifies that this includes wired or wireless network facilities.

    Amends GS 143C-128.1C, concerning public-private partnership construction contracts, by adding that the term "public-private project" also includes a capital improvement project undertaken for the benefit of a city or county according to a development contract that includes construction of components of a wired or wireless network in conjunction with or as part of another of the city or county's construction projects. Specifies that this does not authorize a city or county to unilaterally provide high-speed internet broadband service, or specified types of related infrastructure. 

    Appropriates $50,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2020-21 from the General Fund to the Department of Information Technology, Broadband Infrastructure Office, to assist local governments in planning and implementing broadband infrastructure expansion. Effective July 1, 2020.