SB503: (New Title) establishing a commission to study the benefit of municipalities using bonds for construction, development, improvement, and acquisition of broadband facilities.

CHAPTER 192

SB 503-FN-LOCAL – FINAL VERSION

02/12/04 0340s

15Apr2004… 0938h

05/06/04 1564eba

2004 SESSION

04-3225

08/10

SENATE BILL 503-FN-LOCAL

AN ACT establishing a commission to study the benefit of municipalities using bonds for construction, development, improvement, and acquisition of broadband facilities.

SPONSORS: Sen. D’Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Eaton, Dist 10

COMMITTEE: Energy and Economic Development

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a commission to study the use of bonds for construction, development, improvement, and acquisition of broadband facilities.

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

02/12/04 0340s

15Apr2004… 0938h

05/06/04 1564eba

04-3225

08/10

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Four

AN ACT establishing a commission to study the benefit of municipalities using bonds for construction, development, improvement, and acquisition of broadband facilities.

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

192:1 Commission Established. There is established a commission to study the benefit of municipalities using bonds for construction, development, improvement, and acquisition of broadband facilities.

192:2 Membership and Compensation.

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

(a) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

(b) Two members of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be a member of the science, technology and energy committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) The commissioner of the department of resources and economic development, or designee.

(d) A representative from the New Hampshire ISP Association, appointed by the association.

(e) A representative from the New Hampshire Municipal Association, appointed by the association.

(f) A representative from the New England Cable Television Association, appointed by the association.

(g) A representative from the Telephone Association of New Hampshire, appointed by the association.

(h) One attorney who serves as a bond counsel to local government, appointed by the New Hampshire Bar Association.

(i) A member of the telecommunications planning and development advisory committee established under RSA 12-A:46, appointed by the chair of the committee.

(j) A representative of open video suppliers, identified and appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Legislative members of the commission shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the commission.

192:3 Duties. The commission shall study the opportunities provided to municipalities for the development, deployment, and operation of municipally funded broadband infrastructure. The commission shall focus on the demands from the local residents and businesses, the options for alternative providers, the competitive environment within the municipalities and shall report on the municipal provision of broadband infrastructure and its effect on the municipality. The specific effects to be reported shall be economic development, municipal services enhancement, and the cost to residents and businesses.

192:4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study commission shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the first-named senate member. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Four members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.

192:5 Report. The commission shall report 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, 2005.

192:6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

(Approved: June 1, 2004)

(Effective Date: June 1, 2004)