§ 950bb-1. National Center for Rural Telecommunications Assessment
(a)
Designation of Center
The Secretary shall designate an entity to serve as the National Center for Rural Telecommunications Assessment (referred to in this section as the “Center”).
(b)
Criteria
In designating the Center under subsection (a), the Secretary shall take into consideration the following criteria:
(c)
Board of directors
The Center shall be managed by a board of directors, which shall be responsible for the duties of the Center described in subsection (d).
(d)
Duties
The Center shall—
(1)
assess the effectiveness of programs carried out under this subchapter in increasing broadband penetration and purchase in rural areas, especially in rural communities identified by the Secretary as having no broadband service before the provision of a loan or loan guarantee under this subchapter;
(2)
work with existing rural development centers selected by the Center to identify policies and initiatives at the Federal, State, and local levels that have increased broadband penetration and purchase in rural areas and provide recommendations to Federal, State, and local policymakers on effective strategies to bring affordable broadband services to residents of rural areas, particularly residents located outside of the municipal boundaries of a rural city or town; and
(e)
Reporting requirements
Not later than December 1 of each applicable fiscal year, the board of directors of the Center shall submit to Congress and the Secretary a report describing the activities carried out by the Center during the preceding fiscal year and the results of any research conducted by the Center during that fiscal year, including—
(f)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.