SENATE
                       3rd Reading Unamended
                     May 2, 2012      SENATE
                Amended 2nd Reading
                       March 9, 2012Second Regular Session
              Sixty-eighth General Assembly
                    STATE OF COLORADO
 CHANGE IN SPONSORSHIP                          REENGROSSED
                       This Version Includes All Amendments
                       Adopted in the House of Introduction
 LLS NO. 12-0157.04 Chuck Brackney x2295 SENATE BILL 12-129
                   SENATE SPONSORSHIP
 Schwartz,  Aguilar, Bacon, Heath, Hodge, Hudak, Johnston, King S., Newell, Roberts,
 Steadman, Tochtrop, White, Williams S.
 
                    HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
 Coram, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Senate Committees
 House Committees
 
 
 Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                         A BILL FOR AN ACT
       Concerning access to affordable broadband internet
            connectivity in noncompetitive rural areas.
       
       
                           Bill Summary
       
            (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
       not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
       passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
       applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
       http://www.leg.state.co.us/billsummaries.)
       
            The bill creates definitions of "broadband" and "broadband
       access". It also requires the public utilities commission, in collaboration
       with the office of information technology and other broadband providers,
       to make recommendations regarding a strategy to connect more
       Coloradans in noncompetitive unserved and underserved markets to
       broadband. The commission and the office of information technology,
       using existing office broadband data and mapping, must identify
       noncompetitive unserved and underserved areas of the state no later than
       January 1, 2013.
       
       
       
       Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
            SECTION 1.  Legislative declaration. The general assembly
       hereby finds and declares that more clarity is needed with regard to state
       support for broadband deployment. This clarity would enhance economic
       development and job creation opportunities, provide access to essential
       services such as health care and education, facilitate the delivery of
       government services, and promote civic engagement.
            SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-37.5-102, amend
       (1); and add (1.2) as follows:
            24-37.5-102.  Definitions - repeal. As used in this article, unless
       the context otherwise requires:
            (1)  "Chief information officer" means the chief information
       officer appointed pursuant to section 24-37.5-103 "Broadband access"
       means a broadband connection allowing users to access the
       internet and internet-related services at a minimum of four
       megabits per second download speed and one megabit per second
       upload speed.".
            (1.2)  "Chief information officer" means the chief
       information officer appointed pursuant to section 24-37.5-103. 
            SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-37.5-105, add
       (12) as follows:
            24-37.5-105.  Office - responsibilities - rules - broadband access
       - repeal. (12)  The office of information technology, in
       collaboration with the public utilities commission and
       broadband service providers, shall use its best effort to identify
       and map areas of the state without broadband access as defined
       in section 24-37.5-102. The office shall complete a geographic
       database of areas of the state without broadband access no
       later than January 1, 2013. The office shall map all existing
       physical broadband assets owned by the state of Colorado,
       including fiber, towers, conduit, and access points, for all state
       agencies, entities, and departments. State agencies, entities, and
       departments must provide the necessary data to the office. The
       office may establish an advisory panel consisting of members
       from state and local government, broadband service providers,
       and other key stakeholders to identify whether additional
       support mechanisms are necessary to bring broadband access to
       a maximum number of areas of the state without broadband
       access. The office may apply to the public utilities commission
       for grant funds for the purpose of this subsection (12). The office
       is responsible for implementing only those aspects of this
       subsection (12) for which grant funding is received.      
            SECTION 4.  Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
       determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
       preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.