H.B. 414 Proposes Establishment of Broadband Outreach Center

Pete CodellaBroadband

Capitol-IMG_0068Representative Steve Handy has sponsored H.B. 414 that, if passed, would create the Utah Broadband Outreach Center within the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

Some of the proposed duties of the center include supporting private sector deployment of broadband infrastructure, promoting best practices for public-private partnerships and marketing existing infrastructure for corporate recruitment activities. The bill would also allow staff to continue convening the Utah Broadband Advisory Council as a voluntary body to provide policy guidance and recommendations.

Utah is currently conducting many of these activities through the Utah Broadband Project, which was funded through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration until January 31, 2015. The project team is currently conducting grant closeout activities, which will conclude on March 31,

The full text of the bill can be found here.