SB 5935 - DIGEST
(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

Addresses broadband and advanced telecommunications services.

Creates the governor's office on broadband access and requires the office to: (1) Serve as the coordinating body for public and private efforts to ensure statewide broadband access and deployment;

(2) Coordinate with communities, public and private entities, and consumer-owned and investor-owned utilities to develop strategies and plans for deployment of broadband infrastructure and access to broadband services;

(3) Review existing broadband initiatives, policies, and public and private investments and make comprehensive recommendations to advance the state's broadband access goals;

(4) Update the state's goals and standards for broadband service as technological advances become available; and

(5) Establish a competitive grant program to assist qualified local governments and public entities to deploy broadband services in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

Creates the broadband access task force to assist the governor's office on broadband access for the purpose of reviewing existing broadband initiatives, policies, and public and private investments and providing a comprehensive set of recommendations to advance the state's broadband deployment, services, and access goals.

Creates the broadband deployment partnership initiative for the purpose of initiating and fostering partnerships between entities that facilitate deployment of broadband to enhance and expand broadband services in underserved and unserved areas of the state.

Creates the broadband access account.