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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a pilot program to allow high schools in |
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certain counties to connect to high-speed fiber-optic networks. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 7, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 7.068 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 7.068. PILOT PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL FIBER-OPTIC |
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CONNECTIONS. Using funds appropriated or otherwise available for |
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that purpose, the commissioner shall create and administer a pilot |
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program to enable at least 14 high schools in counties that border |
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the Gulf of Mexico or that are located on an international border to |
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build infrastructure to connect to existing high-speed fiber-optic |
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networks. The commissioner may enter into contracts or agreements |
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with public or private institutions of higher education or public |
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or private entities as necessary to allow for the implementation of |
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the pilot program. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as possible after the effective date of |
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this Act, the commissioner of education shall create the pilot |
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program under Section 7.068, Education Code, as added by this Act, |
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and shall begin entering into contracts or agreements with |
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appropriate entities to implement the pilot program. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |