The Legislature’s Broadband Access Study Committee is meeting this morning at the Capitol. “We’ve heard from a lot of people so far, but now it’s time for us to talk about decisions,” Co-Chairman Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d’Alene, told the group. Today, he said, the panel will “see what this group thinks the solution is, based on the information we’ve gotten from stakeholders.”

The joint interim committee was appointed in the wake of the demise of the Idaho Education Network, after the broadband network linking Idaho high schools went dark because a judge ruled the state’s $60 million contract for the network was issued illegally. Since then, Idaho schools have contracted for their own broadband service at substantial savings from the state network approach.

The senators and representatives on the panel have heard numerous presentations on not only broadband service for schools, but also for state agencies and in general across the state. This morning, they’re starting off with a presentation from legislative budget analyst Paul Headlee on a “gap analysis,” an overview of what broadband coverage is out there now for state agencies, school districts and charter schools in Idaho. “Currently, all of the entities have broadband connectivity, however the type of connectivity varies by technology,” Headlee reported. Connections include fiber, copper, microwave, and some other technologies.

The panel is scheduled to meet all day. After Headlee’s presentation, its only agenda item is “Discussion of Broadband Proposals and Recommendations.” That will include possible legislation to propose in the upcoming session. Will Goodman of the Idaho Education Technology Association will facilitate the discussion; you can listen live here.