Relating to monthly support received from the universal service fund.
Impact
The implementation of HB 2835 is expected to stabilize telecommunication services in rural Texas by providing consistent funding through the universal service fund. By revising how monthly support amounts are determined and distributed, the bill will aid smaller operators in maintaining operations and offering competitive services to their customers. This support is critical for improving infrastructure and ensuring that residents in rural areas have access to reliable communication services, which are essential in today’s digital age.
Summary
House Bill 2835 addresses the provision of monthly support received from the universal service fund, focusing on telecommunication companies in Texas, particularly those serving small and rural communities. The bill proposes amendments to existing sections of the Utilities Code, offering a framework for the calculation and distribution of support amounts to eligible local exchange companies. This initiative aims to ensure that rural areas have equitable access to sufficient telecommunication services that are often underserved due to financial constraints.
Contention
Notable points of contention regarding HB 2835 include the concerns raised by larger telecommunication providers about the potential fairness of the distribution mechanism. Critics argue that the focus on small and rural companies may lead to imbalances in support, thus disadvantaging other market players. There are also discussions about the transparency of how support amounts are calculated and whether it adequately considers changes in the cost of living and inflation, which can affect the sustainability of rural service providers.
Relating to the administration and investment of, and distribution and use of money from, certain constitutional and statutory funds to support general academic teaching institutions in achieving national prominence as major research universities and driving the state economy; redesignating the national research university fund as the Texas University Fund.
Relating to the administration and investment of, and distribution and use of money from, certain constitutional and statutory funds to support general academic teaching institutions in achieving national prominence as major research universities and driving the state economy.
Proposing a constitutional amendment creating a university research fund to support emerging research universities in The University of Texas System or The Texas A&M University System and disqualifying all component institutions of those university systems from receiving money from the national research university fund.
Relating to the nonsubstantive revision of the health and human services laws governing the Health and Human Services Commission, Medicaid, and other social services.
Relating to the establishment of the Texas Energy Insurance Program and other funding mechanisms to support the construction and operation of electric generating facilities.