NOTE: §1362 eff. upon appropriation of funds sufficient to fully fund the office of
broadband and connectivity. See Acts 2020, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 24.
NOTE: Section Heading and Subsection A as amended and reenacted by
Acts 2022, No. 760, eff. June 18, 2022.
§1362. The office of broadband development and connectivity
A. There is hereby created within the division of administration the office of
broadband development and connectivity. The head of the office shall be the executive
director of broadband development and connectivity.
B. The executive director shall employ necessary staff to carry out the duties and
functions of the office as provided in this Chapter, or as otherwise provided by law.
C. On or before February first of each year, the executive director shall prepare and
submit to the governor, the House Committee on Commerce, the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs, and the Joint Legislative
Committee on Technology and Cybersecurity, a comprehensive report to include, at a
minimum, the following information:
(1) Activities undertaken by the office during the previous year.
(2) Data concerning broadband and other connectivity services in this state and
expansion and deployment of these services.
(3) An assessment of the current availability and accessibility of broadband and
other connectivity services in the state.
(4) A mapping initiative to identify availability of broadband to every home and
business in the state.
(5) Availability and description of public or private grants available for the
expansion or enhancement of broadband services and other connectivity services in the state.
(6) Recommendations for legislative proposals.
(7) Identification of resources to assist the office in performing its functions and
duties.
D. The governor shall direct that all state agencies provide the executive director
with assistance in advancing the purpose of the office and assure that the activities of the
office are fully coordinated with the activities of state agencies providing related services.
Acts 2020, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 24, §3, see Act; Acts 2022, No. 760, §1, eff. June 18,
2022.