House Bill 1388

AN ACT TO CREATE A COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO STUDY THE EXPANSION OF BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS IN RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; TO REQUIRE THE COMMITTEE TO SURVEY THE STATE TO LOCATE RURAL AREAS WITH THE LEAST INTERNET ACCESS AND CONDUCT AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AREAS' NEEDS FOR INTERNET SERVICE; TO REQUIRE THE COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO ADDRESS CERTAIN CHALLENGES IN RURAL AREAS AND EVALUATE A MEANS FOR INTERNET DEVELOPMENT AND INSTALLATION; TO REQUIRE THAT THE COMMITTEE STUDY THE POTENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ADVANCEMENT IN THESE RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMITTEE SHALL PREPARE A REPORT FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) There is created a study committee of the House of Representatives on the expansion of broadband internet access in rural areas of the State of Mississippi. The purpose of the committee is to survey regions of the state to locate certain areas with the least amount of internet access, and conduct a systematic assessment and prioritization of the areas' needs for broadband services. The committee will study issues with regards to topographical barriers, geographical distance, low population density and financial barriers and develop a strategic plan to address these challenges to evaluate possible means for broadband internet development and installation in these rural areas.

The committee will further study the increased potential for economic growth, job creation and opportunities for the advancement of education, health care, government and other public purposes.

(2) The committee shall be composed of seven (7) members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House. The study committee shall prepare and file a report of its findings with the House of Representatives on or before December 1, 2018.

(3) Appointments to the committee shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act, and fifteen (15) days thereafter on a day to be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the committee shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a chairman and a vice chairman. The vice chairman shall also serve as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping all records of the committee. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. In the selection of its officers and the adoption of rules and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the study committee shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing at least fifteen (15) days before the date on which a meeting is to be held.

(4) For attending meetings of the committee, each member shall be paid from the contingent expense fund of the House of Representatives per diem in the amount authorized by Section 25-3-69, and a mileage allowance and an expense allowance in the amount authorized by Section 5-1-47. However, no per diem, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid for attending meetings of the committee while the Legislature is in session, and no per diem, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid without prior approval of the House Management Committee.

(5) To effectuate the purposes of this section, any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or any political subdivision thereof, shall, at the request of the chair of the committee, provide such facilities, assistance, and data as will enable the committee to properly carry out its duties under this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.