BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1206
	By: Perry
	Business & Commerce
	4/14/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

As proposed, S.B. 1206 amends current law relating to the creation of the governor's broadband council.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, by adding Chapter 490H, as follows:

CHAPTER 490H. GOVERNOR'S BROADBAND COUNCIL

Sec. 490H.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "broadband" and� defines "council" as the governor's broadband council (council) for purposes of this chapter.

Sec. 490H.002. ESTABLISHMENT AND COMPOSITION. (a) Provides that the council is established in the Office of the Governor (governor's office).

(b) Provides that the council is composed of the following 15 voting members:

(1) two representatives of unaffiliated Internet service providers, appointed by the governor;

(2) one representative of a nonprofit organization that advocates for elderly persons statewide, appointed by the governor;

(3) two representatives of unaffiliated nonprofit organizations that have a demonstrated history of working with the legislature and the public to identify solutions for expanding broadband to rural and underserved areas of this state, appointed by the governor;

(4) one representative of an agricultural advocacy organization in this state, appointed by the governor;

(5) one representative of a hospital advocacy organization in this state, appointed by the governor;

(6) one representative of a medical advocacy organization in this state, appointed by the governor;

(7) one county official who serves in an elected office of a county with a population of less than 35,000, appointed by the governor;

(8) one municipal official who serves in an elected office of a municipality with a population of less than 20,000 that is located in a county with a population of less than 60,000, appointed by the governor;

(9) one representative of an institution of higher education who has published scholarly research on broadband, appointed by the governor;

(10) two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(11) two members of the senate, appointed by the lieutenant governor.

(c) Provides that a member of the council appointed under Subsection (b) serves for a five-year term.

(d) Provides that a vacancy on the council is filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

Sec. 490H.003. PRESIDING OFFICER. Requires the governor to designate the presiding officer of the council from among the members of the council.

Sec. 490H.004. MEETINGS. (a) Requires the council to convene at least once every quarter.

(b) Requires the council to convene at the call of the presiding officer.

Sec. 490H.005. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. Requires the governor's office to provide administrative support to the council.

Sec. 490H.006. DUTIES. Requires the council to:

(1) research the past and present development of broadband in areas that are currently underserved and unserved with broadband;

(2) identify barriers to residential and commercial broadband access in this state and to broadband development in this state and study solutions to overcome the identified barriers; and

(3) analyze how statewide access to broadband would benefit economic development, the delivery of educational opportunities in higher education and public education, state and local law enforcement, state emergency preparedness, the delivery of health care services, including telemedicine and telehealth, and any other matter related to the subject of broadband that a majority of the council members deem appropriate to research.

Sec. 490H.007. ANNUAL REPORT. Requires the council, not later than November 1 of each year, to prepare and deliver a report in electronic format of its findings and recommendations to the governor, lieutenant governor, and each member of the legislature.

Sec. 490H.008. EXPIRATION. Provides that this chapter expires September 1, 2029.

SECTION 2. Provides that a report required under Section 490H.007, Government Code, as added by this Act, is not required to be prepared or submitted for the first time before November 1, 2020.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.