§ 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.
§ 50-40-80. 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 […]
§ 50-40-60. “Broadband Services” Defined
As used in this article, the term “broadband services” means the provision of access to the internet or computer processing, information storage, or protocol conversion. History. Code 1981, § 50-40-60 , enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 629, § 6-1/SB 402; Ga. L. 2021, p. 922, § 50/HB 497. The 2021 amendment, effective May 10, […]
§ 50-40-61. Creation of Georgia Broadband Ready Community Site Designation Program
In order to encourage economic development and attract technology enabled growth in Georgia, the Department of Community Affairs shall, with the assistance of the Department of Economic Development, create and administer the “Georgia Broadband Ready Community Site Designation Program.” Such program shall designate facilities and developments that offer broadband services at a rate of not […]
§ 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 […]