Bill Text - HB238 (2017)

Establishing a committee to study broadband access to the Internet.


Revision: April 28, 2017, 10:02 a.m.

HB 238 - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

 

04/27/2017   1540s

04/27/2017   1571s

2017 SESSION

17-0432

06/10

 

HOUSE BILL 238

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study broadband access to the Internet.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. Roberts, Hills. 4; Rep. Butler, Carr. 7; Rep. McConnell, Ches. 12; Rep. Umberger, Carr. 2

 

COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a broadband study committee.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

04/27/2017   1540s

04/27/2017   1571s 17-0432

06/10

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study broadband access to the Internet.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Committee Established.  There is established a committee to study broadband.

2  Membership and Compensation.

I.  The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a)  Three members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader, and one of whom shall be appointed by the chairperson of the science, technology and energy committee.

(b)  One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II.  Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

3  Duties.  Recognizing the importance of Internet access to all citizens and the need to promote access in unserved and underserved areas, the committee shall:

I.  Explore opportunities to increase broadband availability in unserved and underserved areas.

II.  Explore means to expand the adoption of wireless and wired broadband technologies into rural areas with low adoption rates.

III.  Solicit information from sources including but not limited to:

(a)  Broadband companies that service New Hampshire.

(b)  The director of broadband technology, department of resources and economic development.

(c)  The director of strategic technology at the university of New Hampshire.

(d)  The director of broadband services at the university of New Hampshire.

(e)  A representative of FirstNet.

(f)  A municipal bonding representative.

(g)  An entity from another state that is working on a similar project.

(h)  Representatives of a nonprofit company.

(i)  A representative of the telecommunications division of the public utilities commission.

(j)  The project director of NH GRANIT.

(k)  The commissioner of the department of revenue administration, or designee.

(l)  Others with relevant subject matter expertise.

4  Chairperson; Quorum.  The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members.  The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member.  The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

5  Report.  The committee shall make an interim report on or before November 1, 2017, with a final report of its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2018.

6  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.