196.5045 Telecommuter Forward! certification.

(1) In this section, “political subdivision" means a city, village, town, or county.

(2) A political subdivision may apply to the commission for certification as a Telecommuter Forward! community. The commission shall prescribe the form and manner for making an application and a process for public notice and comment on an application. The commission shall approve an application and certify a political subdivision as a Telecommuter Forward! community if the commission determines that the political subdivision has adopted a resolution that complies with sub. (3). Before approving an application, the commission shall consider any public comments made regarding the application.

(3) A political subdivision may not be certified as a Telecommuter Forward! community under sub. (2) unless the political subdivision adopts a resolution that does all of the following:

(a) States the political subdivision's support and commitment to promote the availability of telecommuting options.

(b) Provides for a single point of contact for coordinating telecommuting opportunities that has all of the following responsibilities:

1. Coordination and partnership with broadband providers, realtors, economic development professionals, employers, employees, and other telecommuting stakeholders.

2. Collaboration with broadband providers and employers to identify, develop, and market telecommuter-capable broadband packages.

3. Communication and partnership with broadband providers and economic development professionals to develop common goals.

4. Promotion of telecommuter-friendly workspaces, such as business incubators with telecommuting spaces, if such a workspace has been established in the political subdivision at the time the political subdivision adopts the resolution.

5. Familiarity with broadband mapping tools and other state-level resources.

6. Maintaining regular communication with the state broadband office.

7. Making regular reports to the governing body of the political subdivision.

History: 2017 a. 342.