2015 -- H 6365

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LC002991

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND MAKE

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A BROADBAND STRATEGIC

PLAN FOR THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Maldonado, Abney, Chippendale, and

     Date Introduced: June 25, 2015

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, High-speed internet access, also known as broadband has become an

essential element of economic vitality, enhancing economic development and public safety for

the state’s communities, improving healthcare and educational opportunities, and providing a

better quality of life for our state’s residents; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative task force be and the same is hereby created

consisting of nine (9) members: nine (9) of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

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

commission, a legislative study commission, or any task force or 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 member of the general

public.

     The purpose of said task force shall be to make a comprehensive study of the Broadband

Service and Accessibility Commission’s findings and recommendations in order to establish and

implement a Broadband Strategic Plan for Rhode Island that will not only maintain the state’s

broadband competitive advantage, but will also increase its adoption and utilization by all

citizens.

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

the call of the Speaker of the House who shall appoint a chairperson.

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

     The membership of said task force 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 task force and its agents as is deemed necessary or desirable

by the task force to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said task force; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than January 19, 2016, and said task force shall expire on

March 19, 2016.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL HOUSE TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND MAKE

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A BROADBAND STRATEGIC

PLAN FOR THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

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     This resolution would create a nine (9) member special legislative task force whose

purpose it would be to make a comprehensive study and make recommendations for the

implementation of a Broadband Strategic Plan for the State of Rhode Island, and who would

report back to the House of Representatives no later than January 19, 2016, and whose life would

expire on March 19, 2016.           

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LC002991

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