The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6778, aims to enhance the development and maintenance of an up-to-date broadband map in Connecticut. The bill mandates that the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) shall, rather than may, rely on credible data from various sources, including broadband service providers and consumers, to create this map. The bill also specifies that the OPM must publish the broadband map annually on its website, starting December 1, 2022. Additionally, broadband Internet access service providers are required to submit detailed information about their services, including maximum advertised bandwidth and the number of connections, in a prescribed format that aligns with federal regulations.

Key changes in the bill include the replacement of the word "may" with "shall," emphasizing the OPM's obligation to utilize credible data for the broadband map. The bill also clarifies that the information provided by broadband providers will be treated as a trade secret, exempt from public disclosure, and can only be shared with certain governmental entities under confidentiality agreements. Furthermore, the bill requires all state agencies and political subdivisions to cooperate by providing necessary information to the OPM for the map's development. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 16-330b