Broadband planning and coordination; cooperation

(a) The broadband office shall: (1) Seek input and the widest possible cooperation from public and private agencies and individuals to achieve the purposes of this part; (2) Work closely with and assist the counties in the promotion of coordinated state and county broadband planning; (3) Encourage every state department, county agency, and other public or private agencies and individuals involved in broadband programs to participate in the activities of the office and incorporate, to the extent feasible, the ideas and suggestions of the participants in the office's comprehensive planning goals; (4) Monitor the broadband-based development efforts of other states and nations in areas such as business, education, and health; (5) Advise the department of accounting and general services on other states' best practices involving policies and strategies related to making affordable broadband services available to every home and business in the State; (6) Monitor broadband-related activities at the federal level; (7) Encourage public-private partnerships to increase the deployment and adoption of broadband services and applications; (8) Monitor regulatory and policy changes for potential impact on broadband deployment and sustainability in the State; and (9) Advise the comptroller on broadband deployment. (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to delegate, or detract in any way from, the functions, powers, and duties conferred by law or rule on any department or agency of the State or county.