(a)The authority is created to advise, review, and approve the statewide connectivity plan.
(b)(1) The authority shall be comprised of the following members:
a. Three individuals designated by the Governor, who may be members of the private sector or public officials or public employees.
b. One individual designated by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, who shall be a member of the private sector.
c. One individual designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be a member of the private sector.
d. The Director of ADECA.
e. The Division Chief of the Division, who shall serve as a nonvoting member.
f. Individuals who are public officials or public employees, as defined by Section 36-25-1, and designated by the following:
1. One by the Lieutenant Governor.
2. Two
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(a) The authority is created to advise, review, and approve the statewide connectivity plan.
(b)(1) The authority shall be comprised of the following members:
a. Three individuals designated by the Governor, who may be members of the private sector or public officials or public employees.
b. One individual designated by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, who shall be a member of the private sector.
c. One individual designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be a member of the private sector.
d. The Director of ADECA.
e. The Division Chief of the Division, who shall serve as a nonvoting member.
f. Individuals who are public officials or public employees, as defined by Section 36-25-1, and designated by the following:
1. One by the Lieutenant Governor.
2. Two by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be recommended by the Minority Caucus of the Senate.
3. Two by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be recommended by the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives.
4. One by the Director of Finance.
(2) Any private sector designee under subdivision (1) shall not be an employee or consultant of an Internet service provider or have a financial interest in the provisions of this article.
(3) The appointing authorities shall coordinate their designations so that diversity of gender, race, and geographical areas is reflective of the makeup of this state.
(c) The authority may recommend policies and procedures for the expansion and availability of high-speed broadband services throughout the state through review and approval of the statewide connectivity plan.
(d) The authority shall direct the corporation regarding the timing and quantity of funds required to support the division’s execution of the statewide connectivity plan as provided in this article.
(e) The authority shall meet annually with the Alabama Rural Broadband Oversight Committee, which was established under Section 41-23-214, for the purpose of receiving a report from ADECA as provided in Section 41-23-281.
(f) The authority may create advisory committees to assist and advise the authority in the performance and administration of its objectives and duties, including the hiring and retention of third-party consultants as determined to be necessary by the authority.
(g)(1) Public employee members of the authority shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses at the same rate and under the same circumstances as are payable by law to state employees for each day they attend business of the authority.
(2) Legislative members of the authority shall serve without compensation, but shall receive his or her legislative per diem and travel expenses for each day the member attends a meeting of the authority or any related committees in accordance with Amendment 871 to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 49.01 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.
(h) Any designated members of the authority shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
(i) The Director of ADECA shall call the first meeting of the authority not later than June 16, 2021. At the first meeting, the members of the authority shall elect a chair and vice chair. Meetings of the authority shall be called by the chair or by a majority of its members.
(j) Members of the authority or any committee established by the authority may participate in a meeting of the authority or committee in person, by means of telephone conference, video conference, or other similar communications equipment so that all individuals participating in the meeting may hear each other at the same time. Participation by any such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting for all purposes, including for purposes of establishing a quorum.
(k) Seven members of the authority shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members then in office shall be necessary for any action of the authority.