Amend the bill, as and if amended, Part IB, Section 50, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, page 402, after line 17, by adding an appropriately numbered new proviso to read:
/ (CMRC: Rural Broadband Access) From the funds appropriated to the Department of Commerce, the department must conduct a report on the accessibility of broadband and Internet service taking into consideration the geographic area of the state. The report may be developed in conjunction with the Federal Communications Commission, other states, agencies of the State, and private entities with relevant information to determine areas of the State that have (1) either no access to broadband or access to broadband that is less than 10 Megabits per second download and 1 Megabit per second upload speeds ("10/1 Mbps"); (2) access to broadband of at least 10/1 Mbps but less than 25 Megabits per second download and 3 Megabits per second upload speeds ("25/3 Mbps"); and (3) access to broadband with at least 25/3 Mbps. The report shall also include expected costs directly related to the construction of broadband infrastructure offered by a wired or wireless provider. The department shall also report all available federal grants for improved broadband access to unserved or underserved areas. The department may consult with other States' offices of technology or other related agencies to related action and impacts of expanded broadband access. The department may provide additional information not specified herein including, but not limited to, involvement of public-private partnership, infrastructure needs, and other available connectivity options. The Department of Commerce must submit the report to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee prior to December 1, 2019. /
Renumber sections to conform.
Amend sections, totals and title to conform.