HOUSE BILL NO. 1079 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 11, 2006 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 2.2-225.1, relating to establishing an office of broadband assistance. ----------
Patrons-- Scott, J.M., Amundson, Caputo, Hull, Plum, Watts and Wittman; Senator: Puckett
---------- Referred to Committee on Science and Technology ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 2.2-225.1 as follows:

§ 2.2-225.1. Office of Broadband Assistance of the Secretary of Technology.

There is hereby established the Office of Broadband Assistance of the Secretary of Technology consisting of a director appointed by the Secretary of Technology and such additional professionals as the Secretary shall determine. The director shall support the efforts of both public and quasi-public bodies within the Commonwealth to enhance or facilitate the demand for, deployment of, and access to competitively priced, advanced electronic communications services (commonly known as “broadband”) and Internet access services of general application throughout the Commonwealth. The director shall specifically work towards establishing affordable, accessible broadband services to underserved areas of the Commonwealth and monitor advancements in communications technology that will facilitate this goal. The office shall also serve as a broadband information clearinghouse for the Commonwealth and a coordination point for broadband related services and programs in the Commonwealth. This section shall not consolidate or otherwise transfer to the office authority over advanced communications projects being conducted by public or quasi-public bodies outside of the executive branch of government. It shall be the duty of the director to advise the Secretary on broadband deployment issues. The Secretary shall report annually by December 1 to the Governor and General Assembly on the state of broadband deployment across the Commonwealth.