(a) Except as provided in (d) of this section, the department may, consistent with the provisions of AS 44.21.310(a)(5)

(1) plan, design, construct, manage, and operate all telecommunications systems owned or leased by state agencies;

(2) manage centrex and other telephone-related services of state agencies;

(3) be responsible generally for telecommunications systems and design for state agencies; and

(4) coordinate with state agencies in performing their data and word processing tasks.

(b) Within the limits of available financing, the department shall administer and operate the satellite television project, by

(1) coordinating with the satellite television user groups and entities; and

(2) providing liaison, management support, and technical assistance for the satellite television project.

(c) Decisions and policies relating to programming under the satellite television project, including scheduling and allocation policies, may not be made by the department, but may only be made by a network that is representative of participating rural television users, by commercial broadcast users, or by other affected participating user groups and entities under procedures provided by statute or, if no statute applies, then by agreement of the affected user networks or groups. The department shall assist users in preparing agreements that may be required under this subsection.

(d) The department may not engage in any activity that interferes with a contract or program right relating to commercial television programming, including but not limited to any right protected by copyright.

(e) Nothing in AS 44.21.305 - 44.21.330 prohibits a state agency from developing telecommunications systems within its own agency if the agency is in compliance with the state information systems plan adopted by the commissioner and with the agency's own information systems plan and if the commissioner gives written authorization for the agency to engage in its own design, development, management, or operation. The commissioner may authorize independent development only upon a showing of necessity.

(f) A state agency authorized to develop an internal telecommunications system shall, whenever feasible, coordinate its design development, management, and operation with the department.