1. (1) There is created within the department the Utah Broadband Center.
2. (2) The executive director shall appoint a director of the broadband center to oversee the operations of the broadband center.

3. (3) The broadband center shall:

   1. (a) ensure that publicly funded broadband projects continue to be publicly accessible and provide a public benefit;
   2. (b) develop the statewide digital connectivity plan described in Section 72-19-203;
   3. (c) carry out the duties described in Section 72-19-202;
   4. (d) administer the Broadband Access Grant Program created in Section 72-19-301; and
   5. (e) administer the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Grant Program created in Section 72-19-401.

4. (4) The broadband center shall ensure efficiency with respect to:

   1. (a) expenditure of funds; and
   2. (b) avoiding duplication of efforts.

5. (5) The broadband center shall consider administering broadband infrastructure funds in a manner that:

   1. (a) efficiently maximizes the leverage of federal funding;
   2. (b) avoids the use of public funds for broadband facilities that duplicate existing broadband facilities that already meet or exceed federal standards; and
   3. (c) accounts for the benefits and costs to the state of existing facilities, equipment, and services of public and private broadband providers.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 512, 2025 General Session