2020 -- S 2776

========

LC004932

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

____________

S E N A T 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: Senators Euer, DiPalma, Murray, McCaffrey, and Conley

     Date Introduced: March 12, 2020

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

1

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island successfully utilized federal BTOP (Broadband Technologies

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

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

9

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

10

fundamental principles of BTOP funding is open access; and

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

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

15

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

16

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

17

healthcare, public safety, and local government; and

18

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

19

mile than any other state in the country; and

 

1

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

2

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

3

Island Commerce Corporation; and

4

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

5

or coordinator overseeing broadband initiatives, leveraging economic development opportunities,

6

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

7

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

8

businesses; and

9

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

10

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

11

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

12

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

13

hereby respectfully requests the Governor to designate a state-wide Broadband coordinator

14

dedicated to the oversight of Broadband Accessibility and Internet Connectivity for the 21st

15

Century and who would be responsible for accessing federal dollars for economic development,

16

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

17

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

18

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

19

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

20

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

21

The composition of said Council should consist of:

22

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

23

Chair;

24

     2. The Director of Emergency Management, or designee;

25

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

26

     4. A member from Connect Greater Newport;

27

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

28

     6. A representative from OSHEAN;

29

     7. Two private sector providers of broadband services;

30

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

31

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

32

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

33

report to the Governor and the General Assembly its findings and recommendations for

34

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

 

LC004932 - Page 2 of 3

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

Pryor, Secretary of Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.

========

LC004932

========

 

LC004932 - Page 3 of 3