HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO.98
(By Delegates Boggs, Amores, Anderson, Argento, Armstead,
Azinger, Beach, Brown, Campbell, Cann, Canterbury, Caputo,
Carmichael, Crosier, Doyle, Duke, Ennis, Evans, Frederick, Frich,
Hamilton, Hartman, Hatfield, Houston, Howard, Hunt, Iaquinta,
Leggett, Long, Longstreth, Louisos, Mahan, Manchin, Marshall,
Martin, Michael, Miley, Palumbo, Paxton, Perdue, Perry, Pethtel,
Pino, Poling, Proudfoot, Romine, Rowan, Schadler, Stalnaker,
Stemple, Sumner, Susman, Swartzmiller, Tabb, Talbott, Tansill, R.
Thompson, R. M. Thompson, Trump, Tucker, Wakim, G. White,
Williams, Wysong and Yost)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the
development of a coordinated deployment and operation of
broadband Internet access throughout the state.
Whereas, The Internet revolution is driving today's economy and
that information technology offers increased economic
opportunities, higher living standards, more individual choices,
and wider and more meaningful participation in government and
public life; and
Whereas, Telecommunications in general, and the Internet in
particular, are becoming increasingly important to the efficiency
and effectiveness of private and public sector entities; and
Whereas, Broadband accessibility and affordability is necessary
for widespread economic growth and sustainability but is lacking in
many rural areas, which are often the last to be served because of
the high costs of infrastructure deployment and maintenance; and
Whereas, Development and implementation of rural broadband
infrastructure and related technologies also are vital to health
care delivery and services, public safety, educational
opportunities and community enhancement; and
Whereas, West Virginia has seen substantial progress over the
past several years in the expansion and availability of high-speed
Internet options, such as cable and DSL, across the state, both
business and residential customers in our State still lag the rest
of the nation in overall use of this new technology and its many
beneficial applications; and
Whereas, New technologies such as broadband service and the
benefits from these so transcend the boundary lines of the public
and private sectors that no single entity can plan for the solution
of these problems; and
Whereas, It is in the interest of this State to encourage
continued wider development of broadband Internet access to all
West Virginians; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the development of a state-based strategy to
establish affordable broadband Internet access for all citizens and
businesses in the state demanding it; and, be it
Further Resolved, That any study should include, at a minimum,
a review of all available broadband technologies, and inventory of,
existing residential and commercial broadband service, as well as
a comprehensive inventory of the various broadband networks
utilized by the State of West Virginia and its political
subdivisions, social and economic barriers of deploying broadband
technologies, development of recommended activities to generate
greater facilitation and use of broadband technologies,
intergovernmental cooperation and public-private partnerships, and
review long-range broadband technology deployment and investment
programs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2006, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.
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