SF 2329 (LSB 5829SV (2) 83)

SENATE FILE 2329

BY  COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 3174)

A BILL FOR

An Act establishing an Iowa communications network advisory committee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  IOWA COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK —— ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
   1.  An Iowa communications network advisory committee is established to study and make recommendations to the governor and the general assembly regarding the current and future operation of the Iowa communications network. Aspects of the study shall include the following:
   a.  Current usage level and capacity of the network.
   b.  Current and anticipated future operating and maintenance expenses.
   c.  Options for expanding network access to public and private users.
   d.  Options for forming public and private partnerships with regard to ownership and operation of the network.
   e.  Leasing arrangements.
   f.  Current and anticipated future network revenue.
   g.  Current status of the network from a technological standpoint and future plans and modifications to the network in response to anticipated technological advancements.
   2.  a.  The committee shall be comprised of the following voting members who shall be appointed by the governor:
   (1)  One member representing the Iowa state association of counties.
   (2)  One member representing the Iowa league of cities.
   (3)  One member representing the department of administrative services.
   (4)  One member representing the office of the attorney general.
   (5)  One member representing the Iowa association of school boards.
   (6)  One member representing the for-profit telecommunications industry.
   (7)  One member representing a municipal utility providing telecommunications services.
   (8)  One member representing the cable television industry.
   (9)  Three members representing the general public.
   b.  The committee shall be comprised of the following nonvoting, ex officio members:
   (1)  One representative to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one representative to be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives, one senator to be appointed by the president of the senate after consultation with the majority leader of the senate, and one senator to be appointed by the minority leader of the senate.
   (2)  One member representing the governor’s office, appointed by the governor.
   3.  a.  Sections 69.16 and 69.16A shall apply to the public members of the board.
   b.  Public members may be eligible to receive compensation as provided in section 7E.6. Members shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performance of the members’ duties.
   c.  The committee shall elect a chair and a vice chair from among the voting members of the board, by majority vote. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum.
   d.  Staffing assistance shall be provided by the Iowa telecommunications and technology commission.
   4.  The committee shall submit a report summarizing the results of the study and making recommendations to the governor and the general assembly by December 31, 2010.
EXPLANATION
   This bill establishes an Iowa communications network advisory committee to study and make recommendations to the governor and the general assembly regarding the current and future operation of the network.
   The bill states that aspects of the study shall include examining the current usage level and capacity of the network, current and anticipated future operating and maintenance expenses, options for expanding the network to public and private users and for forming public and private partnerships regarding network ownership and operation, leasing arrangements, current and anticipated future revenue, and technology considerations.
   The bill provides for eleven voting members and five nonvoting members. The voting members and one nonvoting member representing the governor’s office shall be appointed by the governor. The four nonvoting legislative members shall be appointed by their respective legislative leadership.
   The bill directs the committee to submit a report summarizing the results of the study and making recommendations to the governor and the general assembly by December 31, 2010.