An Act To Establish the Maine Broadband Commission
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1012
Committee Amendment CA_A_H229 (House)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "R " 
to H.P. 700, L.D. 1012, Bill, "An Act To 
Establish the Maine Broadband Commission" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, Directing the ConnectME Authority To Create the Broadband Strategy 
Council' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting the following: 
'Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the Congress of the United States has made certain resources available to 
states, municipalities and quasi-governmental organizations through the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to support broadband infrastructure for 
community institutions as well as increasing the availability of broadband access in rural 
areas; and 
Whereas, the State recognizes that broadband technology is a key driver of 
economic growth; and 
Whereas, the deadlines set forth in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 
of 2009 for organizations to present plans and apply for funding for broadband 
infrastructure projects will occur in the coming days and weeks; and 
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the 90-day period expires so 
that decisions regarding the State's broadband infrastructure needs can be made before the 
application periods for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funding have 
expired; and 
Whereas, in the jUdgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A .. to H.P. 700, L.D. 1012 
Sec. 1. 
Council established. 
Resolved: 
That the ConnectME Authority, 
established in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 9203, subsection I, shall 
establish the Broadband Strategy Council, referred to in this resolve as "the council, II to 
advise the ConnectME Authority on all matters pertaining to broadband opportunities 
available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as well as advise 
the University of Maine System with respect to matters pertaining to the lease or sale of 
excess broadband capacity as a result of the conversion of the education broadband 
spectrum; and be it further 
Sec. 2. 
Council membership. Resolved: 
That the council consists of II 
members appointed as follows: 
I. Two members of the Senate, one belonging to the political party holding the 
largest number of seats in the Senate and one belonging to the political party holding the 
2nd largest number of seats in the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2. Three members of the House of Representatives, 2 belonging to the political party 
holding the largest number of seats in the House and one belonging to the political party 
holding the 2nd largest number of seats in the House, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 
3. 
A representative of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, 
Office of Information Technology; 
4. 
The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the 
commissioner's designee; 
5. The chair of the Public Utilities Commission or the chair's designee; 
6. The Executive Director of the ConnectME Authority; 
7. A representative from the University of Maine System; and 
8. A representative from the Maine School and Library Network; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair of the council and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House 
chair of the council; and be it further 
Sec. 4. 
Appointments; convening of council. 
Resolved: That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
Council and the Executive Director of the ConnectME Authority once all appointments 
have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment of all members, the chairs shall 
call and convene the first meeting of the council; and be it further 
Sec. 5. Council duties. Resolved: That the council shall: 
I. 
Identify and examine the broadband opportunities contained in the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; 
2. 
Encourage a statewide strategic approach to broadband deployment that is 
efficient, coordinated and consistent with other long-term goals and with the Public 
Utilities Commission's prior determinations regarding broadband deployment; 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 700, L.D. 1012 
3. Make recommendations to the ConnectME Authority for a strategic broadband 
infrastructure plan; 
4. Make recommendations to the University of Maine System regarding the lease or 
sale of excess broadband capacity in the education broadband spectrum; 
5. Foster public-private cooperation and co-investment in broadband deployment; 
6. Promote fair and open competition in the delivery of broadband service; and 
7. Invite and consult with public and private sector stakeholders to identity needs and 
opportunities for expanding broadband access; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Role of ConnectME Authority. Resolved: That, taking into account 
the advice and recommendations of the council, the ConnectME Authority shall 
coordinate eff0I1s of state agencies and other instn.,mentalities of the State in taking 
advantage of broadband opportunities for public' institutions under the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is authorized to act on behalf of the State in 
any application for administrative or programmatic funds under the American Recovery 
and Reinvestment Act of2009; and be it further 
Sec. 7. 
Staff assistance. 
Resolved: 
That the ConnectME Authority shall 
provide necessary staffing services to the council with assistance from the Department of 
Administrative and Financial 
Services, Office of Information Technology, the 
Department of Economic and Community Development and the Public Utilities 
Commission; and be it further 
Sec. 8. Compensation; meetings. Resolved: That the legislative members of 
the council are entitled to receive the legislative per diem, as defined in the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 2, and reimbursement for travel and other necessary 
expenses related to their attendance at authorized meetings of the council. Meetings of 
the council held when the Legislature is in session may be held only on days when the 
Legislature is already meeting in session and not on any other day; and be it further 
Sec. 9. Termination. Resolved: That the council terminates December I, 20 I 0; 
and be it further 
Sec. 10. Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: 
That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made. 
LEGISLATURE 
Study Commissions - Funding 0444 
Initiative: Allocates funds to be paid for the per diem and expenses of the legislative 
members of the Broadband Strategy Council to be paid to the Legislature by the 
ConnectME Authority. 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE 
FUNDS 
Personal Services 
All Other 
2008-09 
$0 
$210 
2009-10 
$1,925 
$2,395 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
2010-11 
$825 
$940 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 700, L.D. 1012 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE 
FUNDS TOTAL 
$210 
$4,320 
$1,765 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve. 
The amendment directs the 
ConnectME Authority to establish the Broadband Strategy Council to advise the authority 
on all matters pertaining to broadband opportunities available under the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as well as advise the University of Maine 
II 
System with respect to matters pertaining to the lease or sale of excess broadband 
capacity as a result of the conversion of the education broadband spectrum. 
The 
Broadband Strategy Council consists of II members, including 2 members of the Senate 
and 3 members of the House of Representatives, and is staffed by the ConnectME 
IS 
Authority. It also adds an appropriations and allocations section. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Revised: 04/29/09 frac 
LD 1012 
LR 942(02) 
An Act To Establish the Maine Broadband Commission 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment ,~" 
. Committee: Utilities and Energy 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Legislative Cost/Study 
2008-09 
2009-10 
2010-11 
Projections 
2011-12 
Projections 
2012-13 
, 
··~ppropriations/ Allocations 
( 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
$210 
$4,320 
$ 1,765 
$0 
$0 
Revenue 
Other Special Revenue Funds 
$210 
$4,320 
$1,765 
$0 
$0 
Legislative Cost/Study 
This resolve includes Other Special Revenue Fund allocations to the Legislature for the per diem and expenses of the 
Legislative members of the Broadband Strategy Council. The ConnectME Authority will pay the Legislature to offset 
these costs. The funds paid from the authority will be received as dedicated revenue to the Legislature. 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Additional costs to the DepaJ1ments of Administrative and Financial Services, Economic and Community 
Development, the Public Utilities Commission and the University of Maine System associated with membership on 
the Maine Broadband Commission can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0942(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1