Bill Text: PA HB192 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to broadband deployment, mapping and availability.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-02-02 - Referred to CONSUMER AFFAIRS [HB192 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HB192-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 191
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 192 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY PRESTON, SOLOBAY, KIRKLAND, CALTAGIRONE, BEYER, GEORGE, HARKINS, HORNAMAN, M. O'BRIEN, SIPTROTH, STABACK, SWANGER, WALKO AND WHITE, FEBRUARY 2, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FEBRUARY 2, 2009
AN ACT
Relating to broadband deployment, mapping and availability.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Broadband
Deployment, Mapping and Availability Act.
Section 2. Declaration of policy.
The following is declared to be the policy of the General
Assembly:
(1) Broadband availability is a critical factor of
economic development to stimulate commerce and increase job
creation and retention in this Commonwealth.
(2) High-speed Internet access, or broadband, is
essential infrastructure that has been proven to stimulate
economic development, create jobs and increase property
values and tax receipts.
(3) The deployment and adoption of broadband technology
has resulted in enhanced economic development and public
safety, improved health care and educational opportunities
and a better quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.
(4) A Statewide broadband and advanced service inventory
established in 66 Pa.C.S. § 3014(m) (relating to network
modernization plans) is a vital building block to a more
informed broadband policy.
(5) Improving data collection and mapping of the
deployment and adoption of broadband and advanced services
will assist in identifying any underserved areas and
utilizing existing resources to trigger the deployment of
broadband and advanced services in such areas.
(6) The General Assembly recognizes and encourages
complementary State efforts to improve the quality and
usefulness of broadband and advanced service data collected
at the Department of Community and Economic Development as
required under 66 Pa.C.S. Ch. 30 (relating to alternative
form of regulation of telecommunications services).
(7) The General Assembly continues to encourage and
support the established partnership between public and
private sectors in the universal deployment of broadband
services as mandated under 66 Pa.C.S. § 3014(c) for the
residents and businesses of this Commonwealth.
Section 3. Mapping and report.
The Department of Community and Economic Development shall
work collaboratively with alternative service providers,
advanced service providers, broadband service providers and
information technology companies, as mandated under 66 Pa.C.S. §
3014(m) (relating to network modernization plans) in order to:
(1) Maintain and update the Commonwealth's broadband and
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advanced service inventory map on its Internet website no
less than on a monthly basis to:
(i) identify broadband and advanced service
penetration levels through a method of geographic
information system mapping of service availability;
(ii) utilize existing State programs to aggregate
demand for the increased deployment of broadband and
advanced service in any underserved areas; and
(iii) provide a baseline and ongoing assessment of
Statewide broadband and advanced service deployment in
terms of total households with broadband availability.
(2) Upon direction by and consultation with the
Department of Community and Economic Development, local
development districts, as defined under 66 Pa.C.S. § 3012
(relating to definitions) shall be authorized to establish e-
community teams to develop proposals for achieving greater
use of technology in local communities and to increase the
deployment of broadband and advanced services in underserved
communities. The e-community teams shall include providers of
broadband and advanced services, economic development and
labor organizations, technology providers, education and
health care providers and may also include other
nongovernmental entities interested in advancing the goals of
this act.
(3) Encourage programs to increase computer ownership,
Internet access and broadband availability to underserved
populations across this Commonwealth.
(4) Protect the confidentiality of trade secrets and
other proprietary business information of alternative service
providers, broadband service providers and information
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service providers.
(5) Issue an annual report to the General Assembly
detailing its efforts to map broadband and advanced service
availability throughout this Commonwealth, identify
underserved areas and make recommendations on ways to
increase the deployment of broadband and advanced services
under existing State programs.
Section 4. Contracting with a nonprofit.
The Department of Community and Economic Development may
contract with a nonprofit organization to accomplish the
objectives set forth under section 3(1) and (3), subject to the
confidentiality requirements set forth under section 3(4).
Section 20. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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