Rural Internet Access Authority This Act creates an authority to: • Develop and recommend to the governor, the General Assembly, and the state rural redevelopment authority a plan to provide rural counties with high-speed broadband Internet access; • Propose funding that may be needed for incentives for the private sector to make necessary investments to achieve the authority’s goals and objectives; • Ensure that local dial-up Internet access is provided from every telephone exchange; • Ensure that high-speed Internet access is available to every citizen, and at prices in rural counties that are comparable to prices in urban areas; • Establish two model telework centers; • Promote significant increases in ownership of computers, related Web devices, and Internet subscriptions throughout the state; • Provide accurate, current, and complete information through the Internet to citizens about the availability of present telecommunications and Internet services with periodic updates on the future deployment of new telecommunications and Internet services; • Promote development of government Internet applications to make citizen interactions with government agencies and services easier and more convenient and facilitate the delivery of more comprehensive programs, including training, education, and health care; • Ensure that open technology approaches are employed to encourage all potential providers to participate in the implementation of high-speed Internet access with no technology bias, and • Coordinate activities, conduct and sponsor research, and recommend and advocate actions, including regulatory and legislative actions to achieve its goals and objectives. Submitted as: North Carolina Session Law 2000-149 Status: enacted into law in 2000.
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Section 1. [Short Title.] This Act may be cited as “An Act to Create a Rural Internet Access Authority and Direct a Study and Report on the Information Technology Infrastructure and Technology Needs of the State.” Section 2. [Legislative Findings.] The [Legislature] finds as follows: (a) Access to computers and the Internet, along with the ability to effectively use these technologies, are becoming increasingly important for full participation in America’s economic, political, and social life. (b) Affordable, high-speed Internet access is a key competitive factor for economic development and quality of life in the New Economy of the global marketplace. (c) In the digital age, universal connectivity at affordable prices is a necessity for business transactions, education and training, health care, government services, and the democratic process. (d) Unequal access to computer technology and Internet connectivity by income, educational level and/or geography could deepen and reinforce the divisions that exist in our society. (e) The intent of the Rural Internet Access Authority is to close this digital divide for the citizens of this state.
The Council of State Governments
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