2020 -- H 7096

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LC003366

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO DESIGNATE A STATE-WIDE

BROADBAND COORDINATOR AND ESTABLISH A RHODE ISLAND BROADBAND

ADVISORY COUNCIL

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Shekarchi, Cortvriend, Chippendale, and
Speakman

     Date Introduced: January 10, 2020

     Referred To: House Corporations

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island successfully utilized federal BTOP (Broadband Technologies

Opportunities Program) funding in 2010 so OSHEAN (Ocean State Higher Education Economic

Development and Administrative Network), a nonprofit that serves nonprofits, schools, and

government could develop, build, and operate a fiber-optic "Middle Mile"; and

     WHEREAS, The fiber covering the State is known as the "Middle Mile" and was built in

2010 using 21.7 million of federal dollars and 10 million of state dollars. At that time, OSHEAN

was viewed as a valuable partner with the State and not just a vendor; and

     WHEREAS, Federal dollars were used by OSHEAN to deliver the network, and the

federal government insists on a non-discrimination and interconnection obligation. One of the

fundamental principles of BTOP funding is open access; and

     WHEREAS, Federal and State funding was used to build the "Middle Mile" yet it is still

inaccessible to residents, businesses, and some local municipalities; and

     WHEREAS, High-speed internet known as "broadband" has become an essential tool in

the 21st century impacting every business and every Rhode Island resident; and

     WHEREAS, High-speed internet is crucial to economic development as companies need

fast, reliable service; broadband access is crucial to education, community development,

healthcare, public safety, and local government; and

     WHEREAS, Because of the size of Rhode Island, the State has more fiber per square

mile than any other state in the country; and

     WHEREAS, When federal funding ended in 2014, Rhode Island disbanded Broadband

Rhode Island, a project of the RI Department of Administration in partnership with the Rhode

Island Commerce Corporation; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is one of only two states that do not have a broadband entity

or coordinator overseeing broadband initiatives, leveraging economic development opportunities,

accessing federal dollars, addressing issues of high-speed access, technology trends, closing the

digital divide, improving and making more affordable connectivity for Rhode Island residents and

businesses; and

     WHEREAS, OSHEAN has 48 strands of fiber optic in cable and on telephone poles

throughout the State, known as the "Middle Mile"; however, it is still completely underutilized

with less than ten strands of fiber optic being used; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests the Governor to designate a state-wide

Broadband coordinator dedicated to the oversight of Broadband Accessibility and Internet

Connectivity for the 21st Century and who would be responsible for accessing federal dollars for

economic development, broadband policy, and coordinating any future funding efforts; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That this House requests the RI Department of Administration in

partnership with the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to establish a ten member Council, to

be known as the Rhode Island Broadband Advisory Council, consisting of volunteer stakeholders

from the community to be convened in order to assist the Rhode Island Broadband coordinator.

The composition of said Council should consist of:

     1. The Secretary of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, or designee, to serve as

Chair;

     2. The Director of Emergency Management, or designee;

     3. The Administrator of the Department of Public Utilities Commission, or designee;

     4. A member from Connect Greater Newport;

     5. The Executive Director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, or designee;

     6. A representative from OSHEAN;

     7. Two private sector providers of broadband services;

     8. The Commissioner of Rhode Island Education, or designee; and

     9. A member of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House requests that the Council shall meet at least quarterly and

report to the Governor and the general assembly its findings and recommendations for enhancing

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broadband access in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Gina Raimondo, Governor of the

State of Rhode Island, Brett Smiley, Acting Director of the RI Department of Administration, and

Stefan Pryor, Secretary of Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.

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LC003366

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