A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide for funding through the rural economic development division in the department of Commerce to enable eligible communities to contract with broadband internet service providers to provide internet services.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  Notwithstanding G.S. 143B‑472.127, the Rural Economic Development Division within the Department of Commerce shall administer a program whereby grants are awarded to local government units or nonprofit corporations located in either (i) a development tier one or tier two area or (ii) a rural census tract, as defined in G.S. 143B‑472.127(a)(2), in a development tier three area for the purpose of establishing or providing ongoing broadband Internet service for the benefit of the residents of the community.
SECTION 1.(b)  Notwithstanding G.S. 143C‑5‑2, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Rural Economic Development Division within the Department of Commerce the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the 2017‑2018 fiscal year to fund the grant program provided in subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION 1.(c)  On or before April 1, 2018, the Rural Economic Development Division shall report to the chairs of the House Appropriations Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, the chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Natural, and Economic Resources, and the Fiscal Research Division on the grant program, including total grants issued, a list of grant recipients, and any program recommendations.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2017.