NC H816

Department of Transportation authorized to construct telecommunications conduit within state right-of-way, with costs funded through leasing revenues to private telecommunications companies.

Creates non-reverting Conduit Installation Account within Information Technology Fund (Budget Code 24667) administered by Department of Information Technology to receive and manage conduit leasing revenues.

Conduit installation required in road projects of at least 2,500 feet in counties where less than 90% of households have high-speed data or telecommunications access, contingent on a provider submitting a letter of interest and entering into a lease agreement or providing a bond.

Departments of Transportation and Information Technology must report by May 1, 2022, and annually thereafter to Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee on program progress, including identification of statutory/regulatory barriers and cost-effectiveness analysis of eligible projects.

Excess revenues after project costs are covered remain in the fund to support additional conduit installation projects statewide.