88R20126 DIO-F

By: Ashby, et al. H.J.R. No. 125

A JOINT RESOLUTION

proposing a constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of broadband and telecommunications services projects in the state.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding Section 49-d-16 to read as follows:

Sec. 49-d-16. (a) In this section:

(1) "Comptroller" means the comptroller of public accounts of the State of Texas or its successor.

(2) "Fund" means the broadband infrastructure fund.

(b) The broadband infrastructure fund is created as a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund.

(c) The fund consists of:

(1) appropriations from the legislature for deposit to the credit of the fund;

(2) money transferred or deposited to the credit of the fund by this constitution or by general law;

(3) revenue that the legislature by general law dedicates for deposit to the credit of the fund;

(4) investment earnings and interest earned on money in the fund; and

(5) gifts, grants, and donations to the fund.

(d) Money in the fund shall be administered by the comptroller. Money from the fund may be used, without further appropriation, only for the expansion of access to and adoption of broadband and telecommunications services, including:

(1) the development, construction, reconstruction, and expansion of broadband and telecommunications infrastructure or services;

(2) the operation of broadband and telecommunications infrastructure;

(3) the provision of broadband and telecommunications services, including services authorized by general law to be funded by the universal service fund; and

(4) the reasonable expenses of administering and managing the investments of the fund.

(e) The legislature by general law shall provide for the manner in which the assets of the fund may be used, subject to the limitations of this section. Money in the fund may be used in conjunction with other funds or financial resources, including money from the federal government, in accordance with procedures, standards, and limitations established by federal law and general law of this state.

(f) Not later than January 15, 2024, the comptroller shall transfer $5 billion from the economic stabilization fund to the fund.

(g) For purposes of Section 22, Article VIII, of this constitution:

(1) money in the fund is dedicated by this constitution; and

(2) an appropriation of state tax revenues from the economic stabilization fund for the purpose of depositing money to the credit of the fund is treated as if it were an appropriation of revenues dedicated by this constitution.

(h) Unless extended by adoption of a concurrent resolution approved by a record vote of two-thirds of the members of each house of the legislature, this section expires on September 1, 2035. A resolution suspends the expiration of this section until September 1 of the 10th year following the adoption of the resolution.

(i) Immediately before the expiration of this section, the comptroller shall transfer any unexpended and unobligated balance remaining in the fund to the economic stabilization fund.

SECTION 2. The following temporary provision is added to the Texas Constitution:

TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies to the amendment to Article III of this constitution as proposed by the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, creating the broadband infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of broadband and telecommunications services projects in the state.

(b) The change made to Article III of this constitution by the amendment described in Subsection (a) takes effect January 1, 2024.

(c) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2025.

SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of broadband and telecommunications services projects in the state."