TITLE 50 STATE GOVERNMENT

Section 40. Promotion and Deployment of Broadband Services, 50-40-1 through 50-40-84.

ARTICLE 3 BROADBAND COMMUNITIES

50-40-40. Certification as broadband ready community; requirements for certification.

1. A political subdivision that has a comprehensive plan that includes the promotion of the deployment of broadband services, as required pursuant to Code Sections 36-70-6 and 50-8-7.1, may apply to the Department of Community Affairs for certification as a broadband ready community. The department shall by rules and regulations prescribe the form and manner for making an application. The department shall prescribe by rules and regulations a process for public notice and comment on an application for a period of at least 30 days after such application is received, except that such process shall not apply to an application by a political subdivision that enacts a model ordinance developed by the department under Code Section 50-40-41.
2. The department shall approve an application and certify a political subdivision as a broadband ready community if the department determines that such political subdivision has enacted an ordinance that complies with Code Section 50-40-41. If the process for public notice and comment applies to an application, the department shall, before approving such application, consider any public comments made regarding such application.

(Code 1981, §50-40-40, enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 629, § 6-1/SB 402.)