NC H390

Authorizes counties to provide high-speed Internet access infrastructure as a public enterprise by building and maintaining conduit, fiber-optic cable, and fiber-optic wire in unserved areas.

Permits counties to lease infrastructure to private providers of high-speed Internet access service on a technology-neutral basis, but prohibits counties from directly providing Internet service themselves.

Requires counties to use only unrestricted general fund revenue for infrastructure projects and mandates compliance with state procurement law (Article 8 of Chapter 143) when awarding lease contracts.

Adds high-speed Internet access service to the statutory definition of "public enterprise" for counties, bringing it into alignment with existing provisions for water, wastewater, solid waste, and transportation systems.

Defines "unserved area" and "high-speed Internet access service" by reference to existing municipal statutes in G.S. 160A-340 and 160A-340.2(b).