78R4851 MTB-F
By: Staples S.B. No. 1436
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation and administration of the community
telecommunications alliance program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 487, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter K to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. COMMUNITY TELECOMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE PROGRAM
Sec. 487.451. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Community telecommunications alliance" means an
association of public and private entities created to share
resources, promote innovative school health technology, and
improve the overall quality of life within a local community.
(2) "Program" means the community telecommunications
alliance program.
Sec. 487.452. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. (a) The office
and the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board by rule shall
adopt a memorandum of understanding establishing the community
telecommunications alliance program. The program shall:
(1) assist local communities in the creation and
development of community telecommunications alliances;
(2) assist community telecommunications alliances in
applying for grant funding for projects, including:
(A) assisting alliances in securing matching
private sector funding for projects; and
(B) requiring alliances to develop sustainable
plans:
(i) that demonstrate how the alliance will
continue services once the grant funding terminates; and
(ii) that do not adversely affect the
financial stability of local businesses and telecommunications
providers;
(3) assist community telecommunications alliances in
facilitating access to telecommunications services for local
communities to promote rural economic development; and
(4) create rural pilot projects to develop innovative
school health technology projects.
(b) Each community telecommunications alliance established
under this section shall have an advisory council with
representation from each of the following:
(1) a local nonprofit organization;
(2) a local county-elected official;
(3) a local city-elected official;
(4) a local telecommunications provider;
(5) a local economic development group; and
(6) the local financial community.
(c) Eligibility for private network services under this
section is limited to the entities listed in Sections 58.253(a) and
59.072(a), Utilities Code, as appropriate.
Sec. 487.453. REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE. Not later than
January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the office shall submit to the
legislature a report detailing the grant activities of the program
and grant recipients. The report must include:
(1) the criteria used to quantify the effect grant
funds had in advancing telecommunications connectivity and
technology;
(2) data and performance measures used to quantify the
achievement of program objectives; and
(3) a description of and results from a grant
monitoring risk assessment and on-site review process.
SECTION 2. Section 57.047(c), Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) In awarding a grant or loan under this subchapter, the
board shall give priority to a project or proposal that:
(1) represents collaborative efforts involving more
than one school, university, or library;
(2) contributes matching funds from another source;
(3) shows promise of becoming self-sustaining;
(4) helps users of information learn new ways to
acquire and use information through telecommunications;
(5) extends specific educational information and
knowledge services to a group not previously served, especially a
group in a rural or remote area;
(6) results in more efficient or effective learning
than through conventional teaching;
(7) improves the effectiveness and efficiency of
health care delivery; [or]
(8) takes advantage of distance learning
opportunities in a rural or urban school district with a:
(A) disproportionate number of at-risk youths;
or
(B) high dropout rate; or
(9) was developed in connection with a community
telecommunications alliance program created under Subchapter K,
Chapter 487, Government Code.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.