By Barrientos S.B. No. 1764 76R7744 MCK-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to use of the state government telecommunications system 1-3 by certain private entities providing telemedicine or distance 1-4 learning services. 1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-6 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 2170, Government Code, is 1-7 amended by adding Section 2170.060 to read as follows: 1-8 Sec. 2170.060. USE OF SYSTEM FOR TELEMEDICINE AND DISTANCE 1-9 LEARNING SERVICES. (a) The commission on request shall contract 1-10 with a private entity to use the system of telecommunications 1-11 services established under this chapter to provide telemedicine or 1-12 distance learning services. The commission shall recover from the 1-13 entity under the contract the full pro rata cost attributable to 1-14 the entity's use, including costs identifiable for interconnection 1-15 to and use of the local publicly switched network. 1-16 (b) The authorization to contract with a private entity 1-17 under Subsection (a) constitutes a finding that a contract executed 1-18 in accordance with Subsection (a) is in the public interest and 1-19 does not alter the policy of this state that a state agency or unit 1-20 of state government may not provide telecommunications products or 1-21 services to the general public in competition with private 1-22 enterprise unless there is a finding that providing the products or 1-23 services is in the public interest. 1-24 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 2-1 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-2 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-3 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-4 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-5 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-6 passage, and it is so enacted.