Honorable Dade Phelan, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2422 by Anderson, Charles "Doc" (relating to the coordination of certain broadband projects by the Texas Department of Transportation.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to encourage and coordinate efforts to plan, relocate, install, or improve broadband service in certain highway rights-of-way. The bill would require TxDOT to develop a strategy to facilitate the timely and efficient deployment of broadband facilities on state-owned land and in state-owned buildings in areas where such a strategy is needed. The bill would require TxDOT, to the extent practicable, to assist political subdivisions in taking advantage of voluntary joint trenching opportunities. The bill would require TxDOT to submit an annual report to the Legislature that explains the actions taken by TxDOT in carrying out the provisions of the bill, any gains in broadband speed or access associated with voluntary joint trenching opportunities, and any costs or cost savings to the state, private entities, or end users of broadband services associated with voluntary joint trenching opportunities.
Based on LBB's analysis of information provided by TxDOT, it is assumed TxDOT would accomplish the duties required by the bill either by contracting out the additional work or through the reallocation of the agency's current staff resources. It is assumed any costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within the agency's current funding.
Local Government Impact
According to the Texas Association of Counties, no significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.