HLS 202ES-107 ENGROSSED
2020 Second Extraordinary Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 19
BY REPRESENTATIVE MIKE JOHNSON
UTILITIES: Provides relative to rural internet service (Item #67)
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To establish the Task Force on the 4.9 GHz Spectrum to study and make recommendations
3 on how to close the digital divide and allocate the 4.9 GHz spectrum should it
4 become available in Louisiana and to submit a written report of its findings and
5 recommendations to the legislature no later than February 1, 2021.
6 WHEREAS, internet connectivity is more important than ever before in light of
7students attending school virtually, patients using telemedicine to talk to their doctors, and
8businesses conducting sales online; and
9 WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently
10considering a rule which would allow the state to allocate 50 MHz of the 4.9 GHz spectrum;
11and
12 WHEREAS, due to the properties of the 4.9 GHz band of spectrum, it is especially
13well-suited to provide internet connectivity to those who currently have no or few options;
14and
15 WHEREAS, rural wireless broadband providers have expressed to the FCC that they
16would be interested in using this spectrum to close the digital divide; and
17 WHEREAS, it is imperative that Louisiana be well-positioned to take advantage of
18this spectrum to close the digital divide should it become available.
Page 1 of 3 HLS 202ES-107 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 19
1 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
2establish the Task Force on the 4.9 GHz Spectrum to study and make recommendations
3regarding how to allocate the 4.9 GHz spectrum to close the digital divide should it become
4available in the state of Louisiana.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the
6following members:
7 (1) The governor or his designee.
8 (2) The speaker of the House of Representatives or his designee.
9 (3) The president of the Senate or his designee.
10 (4) The chairman of the House Committee on Commerce or his designee.
11 (5) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and
12International Affairs or his designee.
13 (6) A representative of the Louisiana State Troopers Association.
14 (7) A representative of Louisiana Economic Development.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting such study, the task force should
16reach out to the Office of the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission for
17advice and guidance on the bidding process to allocate the 4.9 GHz spectrum so it can
18connect as many Louisianans as possible.
19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of this task force shall serve without
20compensation, except per diem or expense reimbursement to which they may be individually
21entitled as members of the constituent organizations.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the names of the members selected to serve on
23the task force shall be submitted to the speaker of the House of Representatives no later than
24November 15, 2020.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall hold its first meeting no later
26than December 1, 2020.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force may conduct such meetings at
28such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully its powers
29and duties.
Page 2 of 3 HLS 202ES-107 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 19
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall make a report of its findings
2and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, to the legislature
3no later than February 1, 2021, at which time the task force shall cease to exist.
4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit one print copy and
5one electronic copy of any report produced pursuant to this Resolution to the David R.
6Poynter Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:772.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 19 Engrossed 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Mike Johnson
Creates the Task Force on the 4.9 GHz Spectrum to study and make recommendations on
how to allocate the 4.9 GHz spectrum to connect as many Louisianans as possible and close
the digital divide and to provide a written report of its findings and recommendations to the
legislature no later than Feb. 1, 2021.
Page 3 of 3