Communications and Technology

Task Force Description

With nearly 200 members representing all parts of the country and every segment of industry, the Communications and Technology Task Force believes that constant, dynamic innovation in communications and technology presents numerous complexities that defy traditional public policy prescriptions. To help policymakers understand the changes underway in the 21st century economy, the Task Force brings together state legislators, private industry, and policy experts to develop public policies that will promote economic growth, freedom of technology, and innovation in the states.

Areas of focus for the Task Force include: 1) broadband deployment and adoption; 2) protecting consumer choice in privacy; 3) promoting new forms of e-commerce; and 4) growing the high-tech sector of the economy. Additionally, the Task Force has established five subcommittees to thoroughly investigate topics of interest to the states. These subcommittees are: Broadband; E-Commerce; Information Technology; Innovation; and Consumer Protection, Critical Infrastructure, and Security Technologies.

Meeting Information

Communications and Technology Task Force Meeting Agenda

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 | 1:45PM EST

1:45 PM – Call to Order, Introductions, and Task Force Announcements

Discussion – The Future of BEAD in a New Administration

Discussion – Lessons from Louisiana on Broadband Deployment and Child Online Safety

Discussion – Protecting Critical Tech Infrastructure from Theft and Vandalism

Discussion – Artificial Intelligence Policy Solutions States Should Implement Right Now

Discussion – Digital Trade Policy Update

Model Policy Renewals:

Statement of Principles on Municipal and Government-Owned Networks
An Act Relating to Online Lodging Marketplaces – Establishing Statewide Standards, Protecting Privacy, and Enabling Efficient Tax Remittance
Uniform Standard for Lodging Taxes

Consideration of New Proposed Model Policies:

Broadband Internet Access Service Non-Regulation Statement
Live Event Ticketing Consumer Protection & Reform Act
Statement of Principles on the Gig Economy and Home Sharing
Limiting Student Use of Cell Phones in K-12 Classrooms
Internet Safety Resource Act
Internet Free Speech Act
Statement of Principles on News Censorship
An Act Restraining State and Local Governmental Use of Mobile or Online Software Applications and Electronic Devices Under Control of a Foreign Adversary
An Act Relating to Prohibited Applications on Government-Issued Devices
Ratepayer Protection from Large Electricity Users Model Policy

4:45 PM – Adjourn

Draft Policies

All Model Policies

Act Relating to Prohibited Applications on Government-Issued Devices Draft

Be It Enacted by this legislative body that: Section 1. The statute is created to read: Use of applications from foreign countries of concern prohibited. (1) As used in this section, the term: (a) “Department” means the Department of Management Services or other relevant state agency.
Ratepayer Protection from Large Electricity Users Model Policy Draft

WHEREAS data centers consume prodigious amounts of electricity — far more than any other industry, AI chips require ten (10) times the electricity of a regular chip; WHEREAS building the new infrastructure needed to supply this electricity will require massive investments; WHEREAS in one state alone (Ohio), data centers are…
Limiting Student Use of Cell Phones in K-12 Classrooms Draft

Section 1. Definitions. (A) “Instructional time” is time during which students are participating in an approved course, curriculum, or other educationally-related activity under the direction of a teacher. The term does not include a period of time between classes, lunch, or recess. (B) “Mobile device” means a personal mobile telephone…
Statement of Principles on Broadband Internet Access Service Non-Regulation Draft

Whereas, broadband internet access service is inherently an interstate service. Whereas, there has been a long-standing, bipartisan consensus that broadband internet access service should be free of unnecessary regulation. Whereas, in the wake of the FCC’s 2015 Title II reclassification order, broadband providers’ capital investment declined.1 Whereas, after the FCC’s…
Statement of Principles on News Censorship Draft

Principles Determinations of misinformation, disinformation and malinformation are inherently political and subjective criteria. Any organization claiming to engage in “fact-checking” or identifying misinformation, disinformation or malinformation is using subjective criteria to censor speech. What constitutes misinformation, disinformation or malinformation is an inherently political determination that chills free speech and Freedom…
An Act Restraining State and Local Governmental Use of Mobile or Online Software Applications and Electronic Devices Under Control of a Foreign Adversary Draft

Model Policy Be it Enacted by the Legislature of [STATE]: SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (a) “State agency” means an association, authority, board, department, commission, independent agency, institution, system, office, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law. (b)…

+ All Communications and Technology Model Policies

Issues

Task Forces

Policy Centers