§ 50-40-80. Legislative Findings
The General Assembly recognizes that access to broadband services in today’s society is essential to everyday life. Access to broadband services is a necessary service as fundamental as electricity, gas, or phone service. There is a growing need for the government of this state to provide the much needed infrastructure to the homes and businesses […]
§ 50-40-81. Development of Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative; Funding Awards; Considerations; Priorities; Compliance With Federal Provisions
On or before July 1, 2019, the Department of Community Affairs shall develop the “Georgia Broadband Deployment Initiative” program to provide funding awards to expand broadband services to unserved areas of the state. The goal of such program shall be to provide broadband services coverage throughout the entire state. The funding awards of the program […]
§ 50-40-82. Oversight and Coordination of State Efforts for Broadband Services
In addition to developing the program provided for in Code Section 50-40-81, the Department of Community Affairs shall provide oversight and coordination of state efforts to apply for, utilize, and implement public and private grants, programs, designations, and other resources for the deployment of broadband services and other emerging communications technologies. History. Code 1981, § […]
§ 50-40-83. Regulatory Authority and Administration of Program
The Department of Community Affairs shall promulgate and enforce any reasonable and necessary rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of this article and administer any of the programs provided for in this article. History. Code 1981, § 50-40-83 , enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 629, § 6-1/SB 402.
§ 50-40-84. Progress Report; Publication
On June 30, 2019, and on each June 30 thereafter, the Department of Community Affairs shall submit a report to the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor on the progress in achieving the purposes of this article, including, at a minimum the status of any funding awards. Such report […]
§ 50-40-62. Evaluation of Applicant Information; Promotion
The Department of Community Affairs or its designated agents shall evaluate the information submitted by applicants for designation as a Georgia Broadband Ready Community Site to confirm, based on the best available local, state, and federal broadband information, that at least 1 gigabit of broadband services is available within the facility or development. The Department […]
§ 50-40-63. Regulatory Authority of Department of Community Affairs
The Department of Community Affairs shall be authorized to adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be reasonable and necessary to carry out the purposes of this article. History. Code 1981, § 50-40-63 , enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 629, § 6-1/SB 402.
§ 50-40-1. Definitions
As used in this chapter, the term: “Broadband network project” means any deployment of broadband services. “Broadband services” means a wired or wireless terrestrial service that consists of the capability to transmit at a rate of not less than 25 megabits per second in the downstream direction and at least 3 megabits per second in […]
§ 50-40-2. Coordination of State-Wide Efforts; Development of Policies and Programs; Annual Reporting and Required Information; Cooperation Between State Agencies
The Georgia Technology Authority is authorized and directed to establish and implement such policies and programs as are necessary to coordinate state-wide efforts to promote and facilitate deployment of broadband services and other emerging communications technologies throughout the state. Such policies and programs may include, but are not limited to, the following: A written state-wide […]
§ 50-40-3. Confidential and Proprietary Nature of Information Provided by Broadband Service Providers
All information provided by a broadband services provider pursuant to this chapter shall be presumed to be confidential, proprietary, a trade secret as such term is defined in Code Section 10-1-761, and subject to exemption from disclosure under state and federal law and shall not be subject to disclosure under Article 4 of Chapter 18 […]