Whereas, information technology infrastructure is vital to the economic well-being of the State; and

Whereas, the rural areas of the State, most in need of economic development, tend to be the farthest behind in information technology infrastructure; and

Whereas, the advance of information technology is moving faster than ever before and can outpace the capabilities of existing infrastructure in even a matter of months; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Maine Science and Technology Foundation to determine the physical condition of information technology infrastructure in the State. Resolved: That the Maine Science and Technology Foundation shall determine the physical condition of the information technology infrastructure in the State; and be it further

Sec. 2. Duties. Resolved: That the Maine Science and Technology Foundation, in carrying out the purposes of this resolve, shall perform the following duties:

1. Draft a request for information on information technology infrastructure in the State and disseminate this request to and encourage a response from telecommunications service providers, Internet service providers, wireless service providers and digital satellite and cable television companies;

2. Identify specific geographic areas where advanced telecommunications capability is deployed at a significantly lower rate than the rest of the State; and

3. Study the following:

A. The investment in telecommunications facilities with advanced capabilities in rural areas, including an assessment of the various levels of capability deployed under different technologies, the bandwidth capabilities of the deployment and whether or not comparable bandwidth is deployed consistently;