Complete Bill History



House Resolution 24

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