By: Swinford H.B. No. 2699
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the Department of Information Resources.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2170.001(a)(2), Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 2170.001(a)(2). "Telecommunications Services"
means communications facilities or services. The term does not
include single agency point-to-point radio systems or facilities
systems. The term does include local services over converged
networks, which state agencies may choose to purchase through the
department or may purchase through any other authorized purchasing
method.
SECTION 2. Section 2054.1185, Government Code, is hereby
repealed.
SECTION 3. Section 2170.003, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Section 2170.003. OWNERSHIP OR LEASE OF NECESSARY
EQUIPMENT. The department may own, lease, or lease–purchase in
accordance with Chapters 2155, 2156, 2157, and 2158 any or all of
the facilities or equipment necessary to provide
telecommunications services. The department may also acquire
telecommunications services without competitive bidding from a
private entity created by a consortia of institutions of higher
education for the purpose of creating, managing and operation a
high speed fiber optic network, funded, in part, with state
appropriations.
SECTION 4. Section 2054.021 is amended to read as follows:
Section 2054.021(d). An ex officio member may designate the
information resources manager or another senior manager of the
member's agency to serve in the member's place.
SECTION 5. Section 771.031, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (b) to read as follows:
(b) The following individuals serve as nonvoting ex officio
members:
(1) the executive director of the Public Utility
Commission of Texas, or an individual designated by the executive
director;
(2) the executive director of the General Services
CommissionDepartment of Information Resources, or an individual
designated by the executive director; and
(3) the commissioner of public health, or an
individual who has responsibility for the poison control network
designated by the commissioner.
SECTION 6. Section 2054.051, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
(g) The department may allow the contracts to be used by
government entities of other states and by assistance organizations
as defined in Section 2175.001, Government Code.
SECTION 7. Section 2170.004, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Section 2170.004. CONTRACTS WITH ENTITIES OTHER THAN STATE
AGENCIES. The department may contract for use of the consolidated
telecommunications system with:
(1) each house of the legislature;
(2) a legislative agency;
(3) an agency that is not a state agency as defined by
Section 2151.002
(4) a political subdivision, including a county,
municipality, or district; and
(5) a private institutions of higher education
accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, as defined by
Section 61.003, Education Code, that:
(A) engages in distance learning, as defined by
Section 57.021, Utilities Code, and
(B) receives federal funds for distance learning
initiatives.;and
(6) a private business or other entity that serves a
state agency through a contract for services in instances where the
entity's use of the consolidated telecommunications system results
in cost savings to the State.
SECTION 8. Section 7 of chapter 342, Acts of the 77th
Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, is hereby repealed.
SECTION 9. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.