A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT authorizing the legislative research commission to study issues relating to broadband infrastructure in rural communities and changes in the universal service fund use and reporting.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Legislative Research Commission is authorized to study broadband infrastructure in rural communities. As part of the study, the Commission shall study the following issues:
(1)	Changes in the Federal Universal Service High‑Cost program as a result of the National Broadband Plan.
(2)	The total amount of universal service support payments distributed to the telecommunications providers in the State by the Universal Service Administrative Company from the USF for services provided in this State and the individual disbursements for the High‑Cost, Lifeline, rural health care (Healthcare Connect Fund), and schools and libraries (E-Rate funding) support mechanisms.
(3)	The manner in which the USF payments are used to provide universal service to the provider's customers in this State, including a summary of payments used for each of the support mechanisms.
SECTION 2.  The Legislative Research Commission may make an interim report to the 2013 General Assembly when it reconvenes in 2014 and shall make its final report to the 2015 General Assembly when it convenes.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.