ENROLLED
2020 Second Extraordinary Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 19
BY REPRESENTATIVES MIKE JOHNSON, ADAMS, AMEDEE, BUTLER, CARRIER,
ROBBY CARTER, COX, CREWS, DAVIS, DESHOTEL, ECHOLS, EMERSON,
FIRMENT, FREIBERG, GADBERRY, GAROFALO, HARRIS, HORTON,
JEFFERSON, TRAVIS JOHNSON, JONES, LACOMBE, LARVADAIN,
MCCORMICK, MCKNIGHT, MCMAHEN, MOORE, CHARLES OWEN,
PRESSLY, RISER, SCHAMERHORN, SCHEXNAYDER, SEABAUGH,
TARVER, THOMPSON, AND W HITE
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To establish the Task Force on the 4.9 GHz Spectrum to study and make recommendations
on how to close the digital divide and allocate the 4.9 GHz spectrum should it
become available in Louisiana and to submit a written report of its findings and
recommendations to the legislature no later than February 1, 2021.
WHEREAS, internet connectivity is more important than ever before in light of
students attending school virtually, patients using telemedicine to talk to their doctors, and
businesses conducting sales online; and
WHEREAS, on September 30, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) adopted a rule which would allow the state to allocate 50 MHz of the 4.9 GHz
spectrum; and
WHEREAS, due to the properties of the 4.9 GHz band of spectrum, it is especially
well-suited to provide internet connectivity to those who currently have no or few options;
and
WHEREAS, rural wireless broadband providers have expressed to the FCC that they
would be interested in using this spectrum to close the digital divide; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that Louisiana be well-positioned to take advantage of
this spectrum to close the digital divide should it become available.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
establish the Task Force on the 4.9 GHz Spectrum to study and make recommendations
regarding how to allocate the 4.9 GHz spectrum to close the digital divide should it become
available in the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the
following members:
(1) The governor or his designee.
(2) The speaker of the House of Representatives or his designee.
(3) The president of the Senate or his designee.
(4) The chairman of the House Committee on Commerce or his designee.
(5) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and
International Affairs or his designee.
(6) A representative of the Louisiana State Troopers Association.
(7) A representative of Louisiana Economic Development.
(8) The executive director of the office of broadband and connectivity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting such study, the task force should
reach out to the Office of the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission for
advice and guidance on the bidding process to allocate the 4.9 GHz spectrum so it can
connect as many Louisianans as possible.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of this task force shall serve without
compensation, except per diem or expense reimbursement to which they may be individually
entitled as members of the constituent organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the names of the members selected to serve on
the task force shall be submitted to the speaker of the House of Representatives no later than
November 15, 2020.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall hold its first meeting no later
than December 1, 2020.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force may conduct such meetings at
such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully its powers
and duties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall make a report of its findings
and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, to the legislature
no later than February 1, 2021, at which time the task force shall cease to exist.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit one print copy and
one electronic copy of any report produced pursuant to this Resolution to the David R.
Poynter Legislative Research Library as required by R.S. 24:772.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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