Established pursuant to the Missouri Constitution.

The committee shall consist of five members, three Republicans and two Democrats, and will be responsible for studying 21st Century Choice Technology. The duties of the committee shall be:

1) To study the use of technology to improve education and rural medical care and the implications of improved technology on competition and consumer choice.

2) To examine the financial, legal, social, taxation, environmental, and technological issues of 21st century telecommunications, cable television, and all Internet services.

3) To review and develop an understanding regarding the recent changes by Congress and the Federal Communications Commission and how these changes affect this state.

4) To evaluate the technological and economic impact of deregulation and increasing competition in energy production, distribution and sale on residents, businesses, and other stakeholders.

5) To explore assistive technology for disabled, aged, and blind individuals, specifically as it relates to Relay Missouri.

The committee shall be staffed by counsel from Senate Research and may hold public hearings at locations to be determined by the chairman. Reasonable, actual and necessary expenses of the committee shall be reimbursed by the Missouri Senate.

The committee shall issue a report and make recommendations, as deemed appropriate by a majority of the members of the committee, to the general assembly for legislative action no later than January 26, 2007.

Report of the Committee