88R9230 DIO-D
By: Guillen H.B. No. 2697
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of the funding resources awarded by the
broadband development office.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 490I.0103(c), Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(c) This chapter does not grant the comptroller authority to
regulate broadband services or broadband service providers or,
except as required of an applicant or recipient under Section
490I.0106, to require broadband service providers to:
(1) submit information to the comptroller; or
(2) comply with best practices for broadband
development.
SECTION 2. Sections 490I.0106(b) and (h), Government Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(b) The office shall establish and publish criteria for
making awards under Subsection (a). The office shall:
(1) take into consideration grants and other financial
incentives awarded by the federal government for the deployment of
broadband service in a designated area;
(2) prioritize the applications of applicants that
will expand access to and adoption of broadband service in eligible
areas in which the lowest percentage of addresses have access to
broadband service; [and]
(3) prioritize the applications of applicants that
will expand access to broadband service in public and private
primary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education;
and
(4) develop best practices for broadband development
and provide the manner in which award recipients must comply with
those best practices.
(h) The office shall establish and publish criteria for
award recipients. The criteria must include requirements that
grants, loans, and other financial incentives awarded through the
program be used only:
(1) for capital expenses, purchase or lease of
property, and other expenses, including backhaul and transport,
that will facilitate the provision or adoption of broadband
service; and
(2) in the manner provided by the office for
compliance with the best practices for broadband development
developed under Subsection (b)(4).
SECTION 3. Section 490I.0106, Government Code, as amended
by this Act, applies only to an application submitted to the
broadband development office on or after the date the office
publishes the best practices for broadband development as provided
by that section.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.