§ 51:1363 — Functions, powers, and duties

Louisiana § 51:1363

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 51: Trade and Commerce

Text

NOTE: §1363 eff. upon appropriation of funds sufficient to fully fund the office of
broadband and connectivity. See Acts 2020, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 24.
NOTE: Section heading and intro. para. as amended and reenacted by Acts
2022, No. 760, eff. June 18, 2022.
§1363. Functions, powers, and duties
The office of broadband development and connectivity, by and through the executive
director or his employees, shall have the following functions, powers, and duties:
(1) To provide comprehensive information relating to broadband and connectivity
in the state upon request to any person or government agency.
(2) To promote and encourage broadband adoption for households that have not
accessed services.
(3) To study and identify barriers to households that have not adopted broadband
services.
(4) To advise and assist any person or government agency in addressing particular
broadband and connectivity needs, including cooperative efforts among such persons and
agencies.
(5) To establish procedures to review and comment on the federal mapping initiative
created by the Broadband DATA Act, P.L. 116-130 that precisely maps the availability of
broadband services to every home and business in the state.
(6) To research programs relating to broadband and connectivity services and
receive notification from every person and government agency engaged in the provision of
broadband and connectivity services of program descriptions, appropriation data, and
application procedures. The office shall maintain a listing of existing programs and advise
persons or government agencies of their existence.
(7) To assist, upon request, applicant persons or government agencies in obtaining
timely and efficient responses from state and federal agencies; to assist the applicants in
consideration of program grant strategies; to assist state and federal agencies in cooperative
approaches to address the needs of the applicants; and to provide technical assistance to
government agencies in formulating and implementing broadband expansion and
connectivity programs.
(8) To encourage the assistance of the private sector, including broadband service
providers, to effectuate the deployment and access to broadband and other connectivity
services to all residents of the state.
(9) To assist the governor and the legislature in the development and integration of
a broadband deployment plan and long-range plans to more effectively and efficiently
provide access to any new connectivity options.
(10) To analyze and make recommendations concerning proposed state legislation
or programs that may affect the expansion of broadband and other connectivity services.
(11) To apply for, receive, and administer grants or financial assistance from
persons or government agencies.
(12) To adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations, procedures, instructions,
and forms as are deemed necessary to implement the functions, powers, and duties imposed
upon the office by this Chapter in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative
Procedure Act.
(13) To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the functions, powers, and
duties expressly set forth in this Chapter.

Legislative History

Acts 2020, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 24, §3, see Act; Acts 2022, No. 760, §1, eff. June 18, 2022.