S.B. 487                                                  VETOES

vetoed Senate Bill 487 - Telecommunication and Computer Network Access - Task
Force on Broadband Communications Deployment in Underserved Rural Areas.

Senate Bill 487 establishes a Task Force on Broadband Communications Deployment
in Underserved Rural Areas. Additionally, the bill would provide for the membership
and duties of the Task Force and require the Task Force to report to the Governor and
the General Assembly on or before a specified date. The bill also encourages the
Department of Business and Economic Development and the Department of Budget
and Management to undertake specified actions.

House Bill 697, which was passed by the General Assembly and signed by me,
accomplishes the same purpose. Therefore, it is not necessary for me to sign Senate
Bill 487.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

Governor

Senate Bill No. 487

AN ACT concerning

Telecommunication and Computer Network Access-----Underserved Areas

Telecommunication and Computer Network Access - 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 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; and
generally relating to telecommunication and computer networking and
underserved areas 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; providing for the
termination of this Act; and generally relating to the establishment of a
telecommunications and computer networking and the Task Force on Broadband
Communications Deployment in Underserved Rural Areas.

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