88R14143 DIO-D
By: Bernal H.B. No. 4748
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of regional broadband advisory groups.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 490I, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 490I.01051 to read as follows:
Sec. 490I.01051. REGIONAL BROADBAND ADVISORY GROUPS. (a)
The broadband development office may designate regions of the state
and appoint for each region a regional broadband advisory group.
The office shall appoint members of each regional broadband
advisory group to represent:
(1) public and private entities from eligible areas as
designated under Section 490I.0105(a) in the region; and
(2) at least one political subdivision in the region.
(b) The office shall designate a representative from the
office to serve as an ex officio member of each regional broadband
advisory group.
(c) A regional broadband advisory group shall:
(1) gather suggestions and recommendations from the
public regarding issues that should be addressed in the state
broadband plan under Section 490I.0107 for the region;
(2) create plans to address broadband service needs
identified under the state broadband plan under Section 490I.0107
in the region;
(3) provide information to the office to be used for
long-range federal and state funding forecasts for the development
of broadband service in the region;
(4) engage in outreach to communities in the region
regarding the expansion, adoption, affordability, and use of
broadband service; and
(5) coordinate efforts in the region to form
partnerships and joint funding opportunities for broadband
development.
(d) Annually, a regional broadband advisory group shall
submit a report to the office identifying:
(1) the progress of broadband development in
designated areas in the region; and
(2) barriers to broadband deployment in designated
areas in the region.
(e) The office may provide technical and financial
assistance to a regional broadband advisory group for the
development of a report described by Subsection (d).
SECTION 2. Chapter 490I, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 490I.01061 to read as follows:
Sec. 490I.01061. FUNDING FOR REGIONAL BROADBAND ADVISORY
GROUPS. (a) The broadband development office may enter into a
contract with a political subdivision that is part of a regional
broadband advisory group under Section 490I.01051 to pay all or
part of the cost of performing the group's duties.
(b) A political subdivision may submit, either individually
or jointly with another representative of a regional broadband
advisory group, a written application to the office for the
purposes described in Subsection (a).
(c) The application must be in the manner and form required
by the comptroller.
(d) The office may award the applicant all or part of the
requested funds that the office considers necessary for the
political subdivision to carry out the purposes described in
Subsection (a).
(e) If the office grants an application under this section
and awards funds, the office shall enter into a contract with the
political subdivision that includes:
(1) a detailed statement of the purpose for which the
money is to be used;
(2) the total amount of money to be paid by the office
under the contract; and
(3) any other terms and conditions required by the
comptroller's rules or agreed to by the contracting parties.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.