House Resolution 24 - Introduced PAG LIN H.R. ________ S.R. ________ 1 1 HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1 2 BY FORD 1 3 A Resolution requesting the formation of an interim 1 4 study committee by the Legislative Council to make 1 5 recommendations relating to the development and 1 6 implementation of a statewide wireless broadband 1 7 network. 1 8 WHEREAS, the General Assembly finds that access to 1 9 computers and the internet, and possession of the 1 10 ability to effectively utilize these technologies, is 1 11 becoming increasingly important for full participation 1 12 in this country's economic, political, and social 1 13 life; and 1 14 WHEREAS, affordable, high=speed internet access is 1 15 critical to attracting, growing, and retaining 1 16 businesses in the highly competitive global 1 17 marketplace; and 1 18 WHEREAS, in the digital age, universal connectivity 1 19 at an affordable price is a necessity for business 1 20 transactions, education and training, health care, and 1 21 government services; and 1 22 WHEREAS, broadband service is proving valuable to 1 23 the economic transitioning and growth of distressed 1 24 urban and rural communities; and 1 25 WHEREAS, while broadband access is generally 1 26 increasing in availability, the deployment of such 1 27 technology is lagging in rural areas of this state; 1 28 and 1 29 WHEREAS, access to computers and broadband access 1 30 at home and at school enhances the learning 2 1 environment for school=age children; and 2 2 WHEREAS, voice, video, and data technologies are 2 3 converging so that voice=grade telephone service can 2 4 be delivered over the same facilities as broadband 2 5 services; NOW THEREFORE, 2 6 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 2 7 That the Legislative Council shall establish an 2 8 interim study committee to make recommendations 2 9 relating to the development and implementation of a 2 10 statewide wireless broadband network. The membership 2 11 of the interim study committee shall include four 2 12 members of the Senate and four members of the House of 2 13 Representatives. In conducting the study, members 2 14 shall consult with representatives from the Governor's 2 15 office, the department of administrative services, and 2 16 the department of education, and shall engage 2 17 consultants and counsel with expertise in issues 2 18 relating to the creation and operation of large 2 19 wireless broadband networks to advise and assist the 2 20 committee in the evaluation of information and data. 2 21 In conducting its deliberations, the committee shall 2 22 consider the following: 2 23 1. Timeframes and processes for implementation of 2 24 a statewide wireless broadband network. 2 25 2. Evaluation of the state's broadband and 2 26 wireless communications infrastructure including but 2 27 not limited to federal communications commission 2 28 licenses and wireless towers and antennas, and methods 2 29 for leveraging this infrastructure in a statewide 2 30 wireless broadband network. 3 1 3. Assessment of the availability of and need for 3 2 advanced communications services in unserved or 3 3 underserved areas within the state. 3 4 4. Identification of federal and other funding 3 5 sources for broadband or wireless deployment or 3 6 education. 3 7 5. Establishment of public awareness and 3 8 educational programs to encourage use of broadband 3 9 services. 3 10 The study committee shall report its findings and 3 11 recommendations to the General Assembly for 3 12 consideration during the 2010 Legislative Session. 3 13 LSB 2544YH 83 3 14 rn/nh/5.1