HI HB597

Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) permanent broadband coordinator position within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, reporting directly to the director.

Requires the broadband coordinator to create a state broadband plan and submit it to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2018 regular session convening.

State broadband plan must include statewide broadband infrastructure gap analysis, identification of private sector deployment opportunities, and analysis of government stakeholder coordination efforts.

Directs consideration of digital literacy improvements, community broadband resources inventory, public input initiatives, microwave/wireless/fiber solutions, and capital improvement projects for implementation.

Appropriates unspecified funds from general revenues for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to support the broadband coordinator position and plan development.