Signed by Governor Brad Little

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Idaho Broadband Fund.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Idaho broadband fund that will consist of such sums as may be appropriated by the legislature to provide financial assistance in broadband infrastructure to promote equal access in economic development, public safety, telehealth, and education (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the Idaho broadband advisory board. The advisory board will be responsible for creating a statewide broadband plan that will determine the manner of structuring, prioritizing, and dispersing grants from the Idaho broadband fund to areas of the state that are most in need and will have the authority to determine which broadband projects are undertaken (Sec. 2-2)

• Specifies the advisory board will consist of 3 members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, 3 members of the senate appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, and 3 members of the public appointed by the governor (Sec. 2-1).

• Requires copies of the statewide broadband to be filed in the office of the governor, posted on the website of the advisory board or the department of commerce, and published and distributed in any other manner determined appropriate by the advisory board (Sec. 2-3).

• Authorizes any state agency may petition the board to revise the statewide broadband plan. The board will review any petition filed within 3 months after it is filed and shall either take action to revise the broadband plan or set forth its reasons for denying the request in writing (Sec. 2-5).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Idaho Broadband Fund.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Idaho broadband fund that will consist of such sums as may be appropriated by the legislature to provide financial assistance in broadband infrastructure to promote equal access in economic development, public safety, telehealth, and education (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the Idaho broadband advisory board. The advisory board will be responsible for creating a statewide broadband plan that will determine the manner of structuring, prioritizing, and dispersing grants from the Idaho broadband fund to areas of the state that are most in need and will have the authority to determine which broadband projects are undertaken (Sec. 2-2)

• Specifies the advisory board will consist of 3 members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, 3 members of the senate appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, and 3 members of the public appointed by the governor (Sec. 2-1).

• Requires copies of the statewide broadband to be filed in the office of the governor, posted on the website of the advisory board or the department of commerce, and published and distributed in any other manner determined appropriate by the advisory board (Sec. 2-3).

• Authorizes any state agency may petition the board to revise the statewide broadband plan. The board will review any petition filed within 3 months after it is filed and shall either take action to revise the broadband plan or set forth its reasons for denying the request in writing (Sec. 2-5).

Full Bill Text