STATE BROADBAND PLAN

(a) The broadband development office shall prepare, update, and publish on the comptroller's Internet website a state broadband plan that establishes long-term goals for greater access to and adoption, affordability, and use of broadband service in this state. (b) In developing the state broadband plan, the office shall: (1) to the extent possible, collaborate with state agencies, political subdivisions, broadband industry stakeholders and representatives, and community organizations that focus on broadband services and technology access; (2) favor policies that are technology-neutral and protect all members of the public; (3) explore state and regional approaches to broadband development; and (4) examine broadband service needs related to: (A) public safety, including the needs of state agencies involved in the administration of criminal justice, as that term is defined by Article 66.001, Code of Criminal Procedure; (B) public education and state and local education agencies, including any agency involved in the electronic administration of an assessment instrument required under Section 39.023, Education Code; and (C) public health, including the needs of state agencies involved in the administration of public health initiatives such as the Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of State Health Services.