Ch. 320                                    2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

CHAPTER 320
(House Bill 697)

AN ACT concerning

Telecommunication and Computer Network Access - Underserved Areas
Task Force on Broadband Communications Deployment in Underserved

Rural Areas

FOR the purpose of altering certain provisions relating to a certain State
telecommunication and computer network under the Department of Budget and
Management; providing for access to a certain telecommunication and computer
network by certain persons; providing for the construction of certain network
facilities in areas where existing commercial access is lacking; providing for
certain points of presence in certain areas in a certain manner; requiring the
Department to consult and coordinate with certain agencies and entities for
certain purposes; declaring the intent of the General Assembly; requiring
establishing a Task Force on Broadband Communications Deployment in
Underserved Rural Areas; providing for the membership and duties of the Task
Force; providing for staffing of the Task Force; prohibiting a member of the Task
Force from receiving certain compensation; authorizing a member of the Task
Force to receive reimbursement for certain expenses; providing for a panel of
advisors; requiring the Task Force to report to the Governor and the General
Assembly on or before certain dates; encouraging the Department of Business
and Economic Development and the Department of Budget and Management to
undertake certain actions by certain dates and to report to the General
Assembly on certain actions by a certain date; providing for the termination of
this Act; and generally relating to telecommunication and computer networking
and underserved areas the Task Force on Broadband Communications
Deployment in Underserved Rural Areas,

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article—State Finance and Procurement
Section 3-702 and 3-705
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2001 Replacement Volume and 2003 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

(a)     There is a Task Force on Broadband Communications Deployment in
Underserved Rural Areas.

(b)     The Task Force consists of the following 20 members:

(1) three members of the Maryland House of Delegates, one each from
Western Maryland, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, appointed by the
Speaker of the House;

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