A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT authorizing the joint legislative utility review committee to study Local government owned and operated communications services.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Joint Legislative Utility Review Committee may study local government owned and operated communication services.  The Committee may propose legislation, if appropriate, to regulate the operation of local government owned and operated communications services.  In making this study, the Committee shall consider:
(1)	The adequacy of coverage of communications services offered by currently private providers across the State, including rural and other high costs areas.
(2)	The adequacy of communications services currently offered by local governments.
(3)	The private and public costs and the benefits of providing communications service through a private communications service provider compared to a local government owned communications service provider, including the effect on existing and future jobs, actual economic development prospects, tax‑base growth, education, and public health.
(4)	The effect on competition with privately owned communications services of local government owned and operated communication services. 
SECTION 2.  The Committee may make an interim report of its findings and recommendations to the 2007 General Assembly, Regular Session 2008, and shall submit a final report to the 2009 Session of the General Assembly.
SECTION 3.  The Legislative Services Officer shall allocate funds appropriated to the General Assembly for the expenditures of the Joint Legislative Utility Review Committee in conducting this study.
SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.