HOUSE BILL NO. 4066

A bill to create the Michigan high-speed internet office; to prescribe the powers and duties of the Michigan high-speed internet office; to allow the provision of grants and other financial and technical assistance related to broadband and digital infrastructure; and to provide the powers and duties of certain state officers and entities.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 1. This act may be cited as the "Michigan high-speed internet office act".

Sec. 2. As used in this act:

(a) "Broadband service" means a service, not including a satellite service, capable of delivering high-speed internet access that meets all of the following:

(i) Provides symmetrical upload and download speeds.

(ii) Provides low latency.

(iii) Provides reliable internet bandwidth that is capable of meeting the education, economic, and consumer needs of residents of this state.

(b) "Broadband service provider" means an entity that provides broadband service in this state.

(c) "Department" means the department of labor and economic opportunity.

(d) "Director" means the director of the Michigan high-speed internet office.

(e) "Modern broadband and digital infrastructure" means the technology and associated equipment used to provide broadband service.

(f) "Office" means the Michigan high-speed internet office created in section 3.

Sec. 3. (1) The Michigan high-speed internet office is created within the department.

(2) The governor shall appoint a director of the Michigan high-speed internet office. The individual appointed as the director must be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the office and the director.

Sec. 5. The director shall establish procedures for the office for budgeting, expending money, and employing personnel according to the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1101 to 18.1594.

Sec. 7. The office may, upon appropriation, award grants or provide other financial and technical assistance to carry out the purposes of this act.

Sec. 9. The office shall do all of the following:

(a) Implement modern broadband and digital infrastructure duties assigned to the office and coordinate with other state departments responsible for modern broadband and digital infrastructure matters.

(b) Facilitate collaboration among public and private entities to encourage partnerships, regional coordination, and streamlined policies to increase modern broadband and digital infrastructure.

(c) Identify best practices and external resources to support modern broadband and digital infrastructure in this state.

(d) Provide capacity building and digital literacy resources to the public and entities seeking to expand broadband service and adoption.

(e) Promote and implement policies that utilize modern broadband and digital infrastructure to do any of the following:

(i) Revitalize neighborhoods and communities.

(ii) Support economic development opportunities.

(iii) Increase hiring and retention of skilled workers that support modern broadband and digital infrastructure in this state.

(iv) Integrate the deployment of modern broadband and digital infrastructure through existing infrastructure and economic development programs.

(f) Collect and analyze data to accurately determine the availability of broadband service, including the development of methods that accurately identify parcel level wholesale and retail broadband infrastructure availability and adoption throughout this state.

(g) Issue reports on the status of broadband service market competition in different regions throughout this state that distinguish between the type and quality of broadband service provided and evaluate and provide recommendations on the wholesale and retail cost of broadband service.

(h) Serve as a point of contact between the public and broadband service providers to improve broadband service access, adoption, and transparency.