South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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Bill 4735

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(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

AMENDED

March 5, 2008

H. 4735

Introduced by Reps. Harrell, Cato, Funderburk, Loftis, Sandifer, Thompson, Owens, Harvin, Bedingfield, Leach, Bales, Whipper and R. Brown

S. Printed 3/5/08--H.

Read the first time February 21, 2008.

            

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO DIRECT THE SOUTH CAROLINA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION NETWORK TO MAKE ALL NECESSARY FILINGS WITH THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE, TO INDICATE AN INTENTION TO RETAIN LICENSES CURRENTLY OPERATED BY THE EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION NETWORK AND AN INTENTION TO FORM A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO COMPLETE THE NECESSARY TRANSITION FROM AN ANALOG TO DIGITAL SYSTEM, AND TO DIRECT THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD TO HIRE A NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT TO ASSIST WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AND AN ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS BUSINESS MODELS FOR THE LEASING OF EXCESS CAPACITY ON THE SPECTRUM AND TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE OF THE VALUE OF LICENSES OPERATED BY THE EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION NETWORK.

Amend Title To Conform

Whereas, access to computers and the Internet, along with the ability to effectively use these technologies, is becoming increasingly important for full participation in America's economic, political, and social life;

Whereas, changes to the 2500-2690 MHz band of the spectrum licensed by the Federal Communications Commission for Educational Broadband Service and Broadband Radio Service will enable providers to use that spectrum in a more technologically and economically efficient manner, encourage licensees to digitize their frequencies thereby creating excess capacity on their spectrum, and allow licensees to lease up to ninety-five percent of their capacity of commercial entities; and

Whereas, in the digital age, universal connectivity is a necessity for business transactions, education and training, health care, and government services. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    The Educational Television Network is directed to make all necessary filings with the Federal Communications Commission as soon as practicable to indicate an intention to retain licenses currently operated by the Educational Television Network and an intention to form a public/private partnership to complete the necessary transition from an analog to digital system. However, Educational Television Network may not sell, lease, or otherwise alienate or obligate telecommunications and information technology infrastructure of the State until provided for by the General Assembly.

SECTION    2.    The executive director of the State Budget and Control Board is directed to hire, using funds from approved accounts of the Department of Commerce, a nationally-recognized telecommunications consultant to provide an estimate of the value of licenses operated by the Educational Television Network, to assist with the development of a request for proposal, to analyze various business models for the leasing of excess capacity on the spectrum, and to analyze the feasibility of a wireless cloud over all public school facilities. The hiring of the consultant is excepted from the provisions of the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code. The consultant must be hired by April 1, 2008, and must make available an official report of its findings to the General Assembly by May 1, 2008.

SECTION    3.    This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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