Section 201 – Utah Broadband Center — Creation — Director — Duties.

• (1) There is created within the office the Utah Broadband Center.

• (2) The executive director shall appoint a director of the broadband center to oversee the operations of the broadband center.

• (3) The broadband center shall:
  • (a) ensure that publicly funded broadband projects continue to be publicly accessible and provide a public benefit;
  • (b) develop the statewide digital connectivity plan described in Section 63N-17-203;
  • (c) carry out the duties described in Section 63N-17-202; and
  • (d) administer the Broadband Access Grant Program in accordance with Part 3, Broadband Access Grant Program.
  • (e) The broadband center shall ensure efficiency with respect to:
    • (i) expenditure of funds; and
    • (ii) avoiding duplication of efforts.
  • (f) The broadband center shall consider administering broadband infrastructure funds in a manner that:
    • (i) efficiently maximizes the leverage of federal funding;
    • (ii) avoids the use of public funds for broadband facilities that duplicate existing broadband facilities that already meet or exceed federal standards; and
    • (iii) accounts for the benefits and costs to the state of existing facilities, equipment, and services of public and private broadband providers.

Amended by Chapter 458, 2022 General Session