1. (1) As used in this section:

   1. (a) "Broadband infrastructure funds" means the funds available for broadband infrastructure pursuant to:

      1. (i) the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. No. 115-58;
      2. (ii) legislative appropriations; and
      3. (iii) state and federal grants.
   2. (b) "Broadband center" means the Utah Broadband Center created in Section 72-19-201.
   3. (c) "Broadband commission" means the Utah Broadband Center Advisory Commission created in Subsection (2).
   4. (d) "Strategic plan" means the statewide digital connectivity plan described in Section 72-19-203.

2. (2) There is created the Utah Broadband Center Advisory Commission consisting of the following nine voting members:

   1. (a) two members of the Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate;
   2. (b) two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;
   3. (c) the executive director of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, or the executive director's designee;

   4. (d) the governor shall appoint four members who currently work in the public sector and who have professional experience in:

      1. (i) broadband or broadband infrastructure;
      2. (ii) applying for federal grants; or
      3. (iii) financing infrastructure.
3. (3) In addition to the nine voting members, the director of the broadband center, or the director's designee, shall serve on the broadband commission in a nonvoting capacity.

4. (4)

   1. (a) The president of the Senate shall designate one of the members described in Subsection (2)(a) to serve as cochair of the broadband commission.
   2. (b) The speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one of the members described in Subsection (2)(b) to serve as cochair of the broadband commission.

5. (5)

   1. (a) If a vacancy occurs in the membership of the broadband commission, the member shall be replaced in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
   2. (b) A member shall serve until the member's successor is appointed and qualified.

6. (6)

   1. (a) A majority of the members of the broadband commission constitutes a quorum.
   2. (b) The action of a majority of a quorum constitutes an action of the broadband commission.

7. (7)

   1. (a) Salaries and expenses of the members of the broadband commission who are legislators shall be paid in accordance with:

      1. (i) Section 36-2-2;
      2. (ii) Legislative Joint Rules, Title 5, Chapter 2, Lodging, Meal, and Transportation Expenses; and
      3. (iii) Legislative Joint Rules, Title 5, Chapter 3, Legislator Compensation.

   2. (b) A member of the broadband commission who is not a legislator may not receive compensation for the member's work associated with the broadband commission but may receive per diem and reimbursement for travel expenses incurred as a member of the broadband commission at the rates established by the Division of Finance under:

      1. (i) Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107; and
      2. (ii) rules made by the Division of Finance in accordance with Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107.
8. (8) The broadband center shall provide staff support to the broadband commission.

9. (9) The broadband commission shall:

   1. (a) make recommendations to the broadband center with respect to:

      1. (i) strategic plan development; and
      2. (ii) the application for and use of broadband infrastructure funds;

   2. (b) solicit input from relevant stakeholders, including:

      1. (i) public and private entities who may assist in developing and implementing the strategic plan; and
      2. (ii) public and private entities whom the strategic plan may impact;
   3. (c) provide recommendations for strategic plan development and implementation based on the input described in Subsection (9)(b);
   4. (d) review strategic plan drafts; and
   5. (e) recommend changes.
10. (10) The broadband commission shall meet as needed.

Amended by Chapter 512, 2025 General Session