An Act To Extend Intemet Availability in Rural Maine
Maine Legislature, Session 129, LD 0147
Committee Amendment CA_A_H43 (House)
Amends: 35-A MRSA §7104-B

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT .. A " to H.P. 129, L.D. 147, Bill, "An Act To 
Extend Intemet Availability in Rural Maine" 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
inserting in its place 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, this legislation authorizes the use of funds in the telecommunications 
education access fund to supp01t mobile Intemet access technology; and 
Whereas, this legislation needs to take effect before the expiration of the 90-day 
period in order for this funding to be available as soon as possible; 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 enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §7104-B, sub-§4, 18, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 409, §2, is 
amended to read: 
B. Intemet access, including mobile Internet access through a portable wireless 
access point, or hotspot, that provides Internet access over a cellular network; 
Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §7104-B, sub-§5, 1G, as amended by PL 2001, c. 522, §2, 
is further amended to read: 
G. To provide for the establishment of computer technology training programs in 
schools to provide training to students in areas such as, but not limited to, electronic 
commerce, Internet proficiency and World Wide Web-enabled systems; at*1 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT A 
"to H.P. 129, L.D. 147 
lt,< 
Sec. 3. 35-A MRSA §7104-B, sub-§5, ,rH, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 522, §2, is 
· 
amended to read: 
H. 
To provide for electronic database content to be used for the purposes of 
accessing information by schools and libraries,; and 
Sec. 4. 35-A MRSA §7104-B, sub-§5, 11 is enacted to read: 
I. To provide, within existing resources, support for qualified libraries in rural areas 
of the State with greatest need, as determined in consultation with the State Librarian, 
the Commissioner of Education and the ConnectME Authority, to offer portable 
wireless access points, or hotspots, for mobile Internet access. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill. The amendment adds language to the law 
governing the telecommunications education access fund to: 
1. Specify that the use of the fund for Internet access includes mobile Internet access 
through a portable wireless access point, or hotspot, that provides Internet access over a 
cellular network; and 
2. Add a guideline for allocation of money from the fund to provide, within existing 
resources, support for qualified libraries in rural areas of the State with greatest need, as 
determined in consultation with the State Librarian, the Commissioner of Education and 
the ConnectME Authority, to offer portable wireless access points, or hotspots, for 
mobile Internet access. 
flSCALN'OTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 03/22/19 feac. 
LD 147 
LR412(02) 
An Act To Extend Internet Availability in Rural Maine 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment .(J ( f/r9 3) 
Committee: Energy Utilities and Technology 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Any additional costs to the Maine State Library, the ConnectME Authority or the Depaiiment of Education 
associated with the requirements of this legislation can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0412(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1