2007 Broadband/High Speed Internet Legislation
California
S.B. 909
Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to expend up to a specific amount of the unencumbered amount of funds for the non-recurring installation costs of high-speed broadband services for community organizations that are eligible for discounted rates as part of the teleconnect program.
Connecticut
S.B. 232
Public Act No. 144
Promotes broadband Internet competition and amends laws regarding the classification of telecommunications services as competitive or non-competitive services to encourage emerging telecommunications technology.
Florida
H.B. 765
Chapter No. 2006-137
Creates a program to offer discounted computers and Internet access to public school students and students in home education programs in grades five through 12 and requires the Digital Divide Council to implement a pilot project to assist low-income students.
Georgia
S.B. 120
Act No. 653
Enacts the Competitive Emerging Communications Technologies Act and provides that no state agency shall impose any requirement on broadband service, voice over the Internet protocol or wireless services.
Idaho
S.B. 1498
Chapter No. 445
Creates the Rural Broadband Development Matching Fund and appropriates funds to the Department of Commerce and Labor for rural broadband investment plans.
Indiana
H.B. 1279
Public Law No. 27
Prohibits the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission from exercising jurisdiction over advanced and broadband services.
Kentucky
H.B. 550
Act No. 134
Creates the Broadband Deployment Account and requires that it shall be managed by the Infrastructure Authority; sets forth the purposes of the broadband deployment account; and requires the Infrastructure Authority establish an incentive program to assist in the provision of broadband deployment procedures.
Maryland
S.B. 753
Chapter No. 269
Establishes the Rural Broadband Coordination Office in the Department of Business and Economic Development; requires the Office to coordinate with specified entities for the establishment of rural broadband telecommunications services in rural and underserved areas; and establishes a Rural Broadband Assistance Fund as a special fund in the Office for specific purposes.
Mississippi
H.B. 1507
Chapter 487
Amends the income and franchise tax credit granted to telecommunications enterprises for the cost of equipment used in deployment of broadband technologies.
New Hampshire
H.B. 653
Chapter No. 225
Grants municipalities the ability to issue bonds for the development of broadband services.
New York
S.B. 2747
Chapter No. 295
Directs the Department of Economic Development to submit recommendations to hasten the most beneficial and economical expansion and deployment of broadband services for economic development in rural under-served areas.
Pennsylvania
H.B.30
Act No. 183
An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for residential telephone service rates based on duration or distance of call and for local exchange service increases and limitations; adding and repealing provisions relating to alternative form of regulation of telecommunications services; establishing the Broadband Outreach and Aggregation Fund; providing for Voice Over Internet Protocol; and making a repeal. An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for residential telephone service rates based on duration or distance of call and for local exchange service increases and limitations; adding and repealing provisions relating to alternative form of regulation of telecommunications services; establishing the Broadband Outreach and Aggregation Fund; providing for Voice Over Internet Protocol; and making a repeal.
Rhode Island
S.B. 2972
Public Law No. 2006-241
Makes the selling and obtaining of telephone records without the subscriber's consent a criminal offense; provides for a civil cause of action for a violation; exempts law enforcement and emergency personnel; includes broadband PCS and voice over Internet telephone service; and requires reasonable procedures to prevent fraudulent disclosure of telephone records.
Tennessee
H.B. 3635
Chapter No. 681
Enacts the Broadband Business Certainty Act of 2006. Ensures that Tennessee provides an attractive environment for investment in broadband technology by establishing certainty regarding the regulatory treatment of the technology. Provides that the Tennessee Regulatory Authority shall not exercise jurisdiction of any type over or relating to broadband services regardless of the entity providing the service.
Vermont
H.B. 855
Act No. 172
Establishes a revolving loan fund to provide start-up and operating capital for broadband projects serving un-served or underserved areas.
Virginia
H.B. 400
Chapter No. 251
Allows grants and loans for the purpose of installing, extending, or increasing the capacity of high speed or broadband Internet access to rural or underserved areas. Requires the Economic Development Partnership Authority to address ways of attracting companies that will provide broadband or high speed Internet access to rural and underserved areas.
Wisconsin
A.B. 1014
Act No. 261
Provides for penalties for unlawfully obtaining, selling, or soliciting a telephone record that belongs to another person including by wire, cable, fiber optics, cellular, and broadband personal communications services.
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