§ 42-163-1. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings: (1) “Broadband” means “a high-capacity transmission technique using a wide range of frequencies to deliver high-speed internet including both wireline and wireless technologies” and shall include, but not be limited to: goals for broadband elements such as speed, latency, […]
§ 42-163-2. Broadband director. An employee of the commerce corporation shall be designated by the secretary of commerce as the broadband director. The broadband director shall be responsible for connecting and communicating with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and other federal agencies, as appropriate, to access federal funds for broadband infrastructure deployment pursuant […]
§ 42-163-3. Duties and powers of broadband director. (a) Creating or otherwise administering grants, programs, projects, initiatives, or mapping efforts to further the investment in and development of broadband and digital equity in the state. Pending availability of funding, these may include: developing a mapping process to review and verify transmission speeds and broadband availability […]
§ 42-163-4. Broadband advisory council established. (a) There is hereby established a broadband advisory council for the purpose of performing the duties enunciated in § 42-163-5. (b) The council shall consist of the following nine (9) members: (1) The broadband director from Commerce Rhode Island, who shall serve as the chair; (2) The Rhode Island […]
§ 42-163-5. Duties and powers of broadband advisory council. The broadband advisory council shall advise the executive office of commerce on broadband implementation efforts undertaken by the agency including, but not limited to, the development of a state strategic plan and broadband-related investment strategies. The broadband advisory council shall additionally invite telecommunications/IT experts and broadband […]
§ 42-163-6. Administrative support to broadband advisory council. The commerce corporation shall be responsible for providing administrative and other support services to the council. History of Section.P.L. 2022, ch. 231, art. 9, § 15, effective June 27, 2022.
§ 42-163-7. Meetings and reporting. The council shall meet at least quarterly and shall report at least annually on or before December 31 of each year to the general assembly on its findings and recommendations to include, but not limited to, recommendations for proposed legislation to further the purposes of this chapter. History of Section.P.L. […]
