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.