Relating to the development and utilization of high-speed electronic transmission mediums

The bill describes certain actions a political subdivision certified as broadband forward cannot take. If a political subdivision successfully applies for broadband forward certification, the authority is required to coordinate with other state agencies regarding preferences given in the awarding of grants or making of loans. The bill also requires the authority to establish a telecommuter forward certification program. The objective of the program is to encourage political subdivisions to further and promote the availability of telecommuting. The bill specifies application requirements for telecommuter forward certification, and describes certain actions a political subdivision certified as telecommuter forward cannot take. As with the broadband forward certification program, if a political subdivision successfully applies for telecommuter forward certification, the authority is required to coordinate with other state agencies regarding preferences given in the awarding of grants or making of loans. The bill repeals the fiberoptic network conduit installation program under the authority of the office of the chief information officer and reestablishes the program under the purview of the department of transportation. The fiberoptic network conduit installation program provides that the department of transportation is to administer a program related to the installation of fiberoptic network conduit where such conduit does not exist. More specifically, the department is to coordinate with applicable agencies and entities to ensure there is an opportunity to install fiberoptic network conduit during certain projects. The bill also requires the department to maintain and publish on its internet site a list of construction projects utilizing public funding that involve opening the ground alongside a private road.