(1) The Oregon Broadband Office is created within the Oregon Business Development Department.

Have a question?
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(2) The Oregon Broadband Office shall:

(a) Advocate for the adoption of public policies that close the continuing digital divide by removing barriers to and supporting broadband infrastructure deployment;

(b) Develop broadband investment and deployment strategies for unserved and underserved areas;

(c) Promote private sector, public sector and cooperative broadband solutions;

(d) Support and promote local and regional broadband planning;

(e) Promote technology and service provider neutrality by focusing on desired outcomes rather than specific technological solutions;

(f) Pursue and leverage federal sources of broadband funding to achieve state goals related to broadband;

(g) Manage and award funds allocated to the Oregon Business Development Department for use by the office for broadband projects;

(h) Engage with a stakeholders representing a wide variety of interests, including but not limited to elected officials, government officials, healthcare providers, educators, business and agricultural community leaders and other community leaders and broadband service providers, to facilitate communications and collect information necessary to help make a business case for broadband investments;

(i) Promote digital literacy, equity and inclusion;

(j) Generate public awareness of the value of broadband technologies and applications;

(k) Promote adoption and utilization of broadband technologies and applications;

(L) Develop, maintain and provide public access to:

(A) A statewide broadband map as a platform for data collection to track the availability of broadband services and to measure progress; and

(B) Other information relating to broadband;

(m) Convene relevant state and federal agencies and advise the Governor, state agency leadership and the Oregon Congressional Delegation on actions to leverage state government activities to pursue state goals related to broadband; and

(n) Support and coordinate efforts with the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council. [2019 c.648 § 1]

285A.166 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS Chapter 285A or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.