86R22386 BRG-F
By: Price, Anderson, Cyrier, H.B. No. 1960
González of El Paso, et al.
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1960:
By: Parker C.S.H.B. No. 1960
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the governor's broadband development
council.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 490H to read as follows:
CHAPTER 490H. GOVERNOR'S BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Sec. 490H.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Broadband" means a service that provides advanced
telecommunications capability and Internet access.
(2) "Council" means the governor's broadband
development council.
(3) "Unserved area" means a census block without
access to broadband capable of providing:
(A) a download speed of at least 25 megabits per
second; and
(B) an upload speed of at least three megabits
per second.
Sec. 490H.002. COMPOSITION. (a) The council is composed of
the following 17 voting members:
(1) two representatives of unaffiliated Internet
service providers, appointed by the governor;
(2) one representative of the health information
technology industry, appointed by the governor;
(3) two representatives of unaffiliated nonprofit
organizations that advocate for elderly persons statewide,
appointed by the governor;
(4) two representatives of unaffiliated nonprofit
organizations that have a demonstrated history of working with the
legislature and the public to identify solutions for expanding
broadband to rural, unserved areas of this state, appointed by the
governor;
(5) one representative of an agricultural advocacy
organization in this state, appointed by the governor;
(6) one representative of a hospital advocacy
organization in this state, appointed by the governor;
(7) one representative of a medical advocacy
organization in this state, appointed by the governor;
(8) one county official who serves in an elected
office of a county with a population of less than 35,000, appointed
by the governor;
(9) one municipal official who serves in an elected
office of a municipality with a population of less than 20,000
located in a county with a population of less than 60,000, appointed
by the governor;
(10) one representative of an institution of higher
education that has its main campus in a county with a population of
less than 60,000, appointed by the governor;
(11) one representative of a school district with a
territory that includes only counties with a population of less
than 60,000, appointed by the governor;
(12) one representative from a library association,
appointed by the governor;
(13) one member of the house of representatives,
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
(14) one state senator, appointed by the lieutenant
governor.
(b) A member of the council appointed under Subsection (a)
serves for a five-year term.
(c) A vacancy on the council is filled in the same manner as
the original appointment.
Sec. 490H.003. COUNCIL PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor
shall designate the presiding officer of the council.
Sec. 490H.004. MEETINGS. (a) The council shall convene at
least once every quarter.
(b) The council shall convene at the call of the presiding
officer.
Sec. 490H.005. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The office of the
governor shall provide administrative support to the council.
Sec. 490H.006. DUTIES. (a) The council shall:
(1) research the progress of broadband development in
unserved areas;
(2) identify barriers to residential and commercial
broadband deployment in unserved areas;
(3) study technology-neutral solutions to overcome
barriers identified under Subdivision (2); and
(4) analyze how statewide access to broadband would
benefit:
(A) economic development;
(B) the delivery of educational opportunities in
higher education and public education;
(C) state and local law enforcement;
(D) state emergency preparedness; and
(E) the delivery of health care services,
including telemedicine and telehealth.
(b) The council may research another matter related to
broadband only if a majority of the council approves researching
the matter.
(c) For the purpose of performing its duties under this
section, the council may consult with a representative of an
institution of higher education who has published scholarly
research on broadband.
Sec. 490H.007. ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than November 1 of
each year, the council shall prepare and deliver an electronic
report of its findings and recommendations to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, and each member of the legislature.
Sec. 490H.008. EXPIRATION. This chapter expires September
1, 2029.
SECTION 2. The first report described by Section 490H.007,
Government Code, as added by this Act, is due November 1, 2020.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2019.