1. The Telecommunications Advisory Council is hereby created.

2. The Council consists of seven members appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall appoint to the Council:

(a) One member from the Office of Science, Innovation and Technology in the Office of the Governor;

(b) One member from the Department of Transportation;

(c) One member from the Department of Education;

(d) One member from the Nevada Office of Rural Health;

(e) One member from the Department of Public Safety;

(f) One member from the Nevada System of Higher Education; and

(g) One member from the Division of Enterprise Information Technology Services of the Department of Administration.

3. The member appointed from the Office of Science, Innovation and Technology in the Office of the Governor shall serve as the Chair of the Council.

4. The Council shall meet as necessary at the call of the Chair.

5. The Director of the Office of Science, Innovation and Technology in the Office of the Governor shall provide staff support to the Council.

6. A majority of the members of the Council constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

7. The members of the Council receive no compensation for their services, but are entitled to be reimbursed for all travel and other expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties, within the limits of money available to the Council.

8. The members of the Council may request assistance from technical advisors as the Council deems necessary.

9. The Council shall:

(a) Provide information, advice, strategic plans, priorities and recommendations to assist the Department in administering access to rights-of-way to telecommunications providers for statewide telecommunications purposes;

(b) Assist the Department in valuing in-kind compensation pursuant to NRS 408.5501 to 408.55029, inclusive, and approve or deny any valuation thereof;

(c) Seek input from telecommunications providers and the public relating to broadband access;

(d) Coordinate and exchange information with other entities of this State and its political subdivisions relating to technology and telecommunications;

(e) Approve or deny any agreement between the Department and a telecommunications provider proposed pursuant to NRS 408.5502, if the Council finds that the agreement is competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory; and

(f) Provide other assistance as requested by the Department.

(Added to NRS by 2017, 536)