Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Program

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 25 TO CHAPTER 9, TITLE 58 SO AS TO CREATE THE "BROADBAND ACCESSIBILITY ACT", TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, SET FORTH THE BROADBAND AUTHORITY OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES AND TO SET FORTH THE MANNER IN WHICH BROADBAND NETWORKS ARE CONSTRUCTED; TO AMEND SECTION 33-49-20, RELATING TO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS; TO AMEND SECTION 33-49-150, RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE OFFICE OF REGULATORY STAFF, SO AS TO SET FORTH THE OFFICE'S BROADBAND AUTHORITY; TO AMEND SECTION 33-49-250, RELATING TO THE POWERS OF ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES, SO AS TO PROVIDE CERTAIN BROADBAND AUTHORITY; BY ADDING SECTION 58-31-230 SO AS TO SET FORTH THE BROADBAND AUTHORITY OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY; AND TO SPECIFY THAT THIS ACT DOES NOT CONVEY OR CONFER ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS GRANT OF AUTHORITY TO AN INVESTOR-OWNED ELECTRIC UTILITY TO PROVIDE BROADBAND FACILITIES OR BROADBAND SERVICES. - ratified title