BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3889

By: Morales Shaw

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The governor has prioritized broadband development this legislative session and the commissioner of education has indicated that the Texas Education Agency is in the process of building new systems and negotiating with internet service providers to deliver at-home broadband to more than one million students who currently lack access. H.B. 3889 ensures that if TEA creates a program to provide broadband access to school districts, TEA will ensure that students who qualify for free and reduced lunch programs also receive broadband internet access at no cost.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Education Agency in SECTION 2 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3889 amends the Education Code to prohibit the Texas Education Agency (TEA), if TEA establishes a program that provides broadband Internet access to public school students, from requiring a student who is educationally disadvantaged to pay any fees or costs for the program. The bill requires TEA to adopt rules as necessary to implement the bill's provisions.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.