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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.