2014 -- H 7634

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LC004820

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO BE KNOWN AS THE

"BROADBAND POLICY ADVISORY BOARD"

     Introduced By: Representatives Finn, Kazarian, Blazejewski, Keable, and Hearn

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2014

     Referred To: House Small Business

     WHEREAS, Broadband, also known as the high-speed Internet, has become

indispensable to the flow of commerce, communications, government services, and public safety,

and for gathering and exchanging information from infinite sources on every subject; and

     WHEREAS, Access to the Internet has become as essential to full participation in daily

life as electricity and telephone service; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is currently recognized as having the best broadband

infrastructure speed and coverage in the nation and we have the ability to connect almost every

citizen and business to high-speed Internet; and

     WHEREAS, The Federal Government authored the comprehensive National Broadband

Plan that validates high-speed broadband Internet as a major driver of economic development in

the 21st century; and

     WHEREAS, The Federal Government and other organizations across the nation are

making investments in broadband infrastructure and programs to promote digital literacy and

broadband adoption; and

     WHEREAS, Over 41 out of 50 states have established such recognized advisory councils

to address these issues in their states; and

     WHEREAS, Many United States cities and towns are also evaluating and implementing

the next generation of broadband technology known as Gigabit Networks which would quickly

surpass current technologies, thrusting them into the forefront of economic development and

education opportunities; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission to be known as the Broadband Policy

and Advisory Board be and the same is hereby created consisting of nineteen (19) members: one

of whom shall be a member of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker; one

of whom shall be a member of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of

whom shall be the Director of the Office of Digital Excellence, who shall be the chair of the

commission; one of whom shall be the Chair of the Rhode Island Board of Education, or

designee; one of whom shall be the Commissioner for the Office of Energy Resources, or

designee; one of whom shall be the Rhode Island Secretary of State, or designee; one of whom

shall be the Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, or designee; one of whom shall be

the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, or designee; one of whom

shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, or designee; one of whom shall

be the Rhode Island Attorney General, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director

of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation; one of whom shall be the Director of Broadband RI,

or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Library

Association, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the Ocean State Higher Education

Economic Development and Administrative Network (OSHEAN), or designee; one of whom

shall be the Director Aquidneck Island Broadband Advisory Board, or designee; and four (4) of

whom shall be representatives of the state's broadband industry, one of whom shall be a member

representing a large capitalized firm and one of whom shall be a member representing a small or

medium sized firm, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, and one of whom shall be a

member representing a large capitalized firm and one of whom shall be a member representing a

small or medium sized firm, to be appointed by the President of the Senate.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a permanent advisory

commission, a legislative study commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly

resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu

of a legislator, provided that the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which

is entitled to the appointment consents to the appointment of the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said Board is to begin by leveraging resources of the current federally-

funded Broadband RI initiative along with development of a comprehensive strategic plan,

including specific action steps and identified responsible parties for said action steps. The plan

would include, but not be limited to: Creating a sustainable coordinating effort between the public

and private sectors to maximize economic development opportunities for businesses and citizens

through Rhode Island's competitive position of broadband access and utilization; Investigating,

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reviewing, and reporting on various federal and private funding sources available for Rhode

Island in enhancing broadband access and utilization; Reviewing potential public policy

initiatives, policies, and programs, including best practices, to advance Rhode Island's use of

broadband for economic, cultural, and social advancement; Reviewing current and pending

legislative, regulatory, and administrative actions to determine and advise on their impact on

Rhode Island's broadband strategies; Recommending e-government strategies for Rhode Island to

enhance the delivery and implementation of government strategies in the state.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House and organize.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report preliminary findings and results to the

General Assembly on or before February 4, 2015, and said commission shall expire on January 6,

2016.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO BE KNOWN AS THE

"BROADBAND POLICY ADVISORY BOARD"

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     This resolution would create a nineteen (19) member special legislative commission to be

known as the Broadband Policy and Advisory Board and whose purpose would be to make a

comprehensive study of methods and avenues to pursue that would support and aid the

development of broadband opportunities and benefits, and who would report preliminary findings

to the General Assembly on or before February 4, 2015, and said commission would expire on

January 6, 2016.

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