RURAL BROADBAND/INFRASTRUCTURE.

Printer-friendly: Click to view
View NCGA Bill Details2015-2016 Session
Senate Bill 615 (Public) Filed Thursday, March 26, 2015
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.
Intro. by D. Davis.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate Action) (Mar 30 2015)

Bill History:

S 615

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Mar 30 2015 - View Summary

    States the General Assembly's findings. Requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to study the economic impact of transportation connectivity between rural low-wealth counties and job creation centers, with a focus on specified corridors and roads. Requires DOT to report on the study by May 1, 2016, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee. Requires that funding for the study be provided by the Department of Transportation from funds available to it.

    Requires the Office of the State Chief Information Officer, with the assistance of the Department of Transportation, the Department of Administration, the Department of Commerce, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to develop a state broadband plan to ensure that all citizens of North Carolina have access to broadband capability. Specifies components of the plan. Requires a report by May 1, 2016, to the Joint Legislative Committee on Information Technology on the state broadband plan. Requires that funding for the study be provided by the Office of the State Chief Information Officer, using funds available from the Information Technology Fund.