87R14044 BRG-D
 
  By: Ashby, Anderson, Paddie, Price, Canales, H.B. No. 5
      et al.
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 5:
 
  By:  Paddie C.S.H.B. No. 5
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the expansion of broadband services to certain areas.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 490H.002(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The council is composed of one nonvoting member
  appointed by the broadband development office and the following
  [17] voting members:
               (1)  two representatives of separate Internet service
  provider industry associations, including at least one
  representative of an association that primarily represents small
  providers, as defined by Section 56.032, Utilities Code, appointed
  by the governor;
               (2)  one representative of the health information
  technology industry, appointed by the governor;
               (3)  two representatives of unaffiliated nonprofit
  organizations that advocate for elderly persons statewide,
  appointed by the governor;
               (4)  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, unserved areas of this state, appointed by the
  governor;
               (5)  one representative of an agricultural advocacy
  organization in this state, appointed by the governor;
               (6)  one representative of a hospital advocacy
  organization in this state, appointed by the governor;
               (7)  one representative of a medical advocacy
  organization in this state, appointed by the governor;
               (8)  one county official who serves in an elected
  office of a county with a population of less than 35,000, appointed
  by the governor;
               (9)  one municipal official who serves in an elected
  office of a municipality with a population of less than 20,000
  located in a county with a population of less than 60,000, appointed
  by the governor;
               (10)  one representative of an institution of higher
  education that has its main campus in a county with a population of
  less than 60,000, appointed by the governor;
               (11)  one representative of a school district with a
  territory that includes only counties with a population of less
  than 60,000, appointed by the governor;
               (12)  one representative from a library association,
  appointed by the governor;
               (13)  one member of the house of representatives,
  appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; [and]
               (14)  one state senator, appointed by the lieutenant
  governor; and
               (15)  one representative from an electric cooperative
  providing broadband, appointed by the governor.
         SECTION 2.  Section 490H.006(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The council shall:
               (1)  research the progress of:
                     (A)  broadband development in unserved areas;
                     (B)  deployment of broadband statewide; and
                     (C)  purchase of broadband by residential and
  commercial customers;
               (2)  identify barriers to residential and commercial
  broadband deployment in unserved areas;
               (3)  study:
                     (A)  technology-neutral solutions to overcome
  barriers identified under Subdivision (2); and
                     (B)  industry and technology trends in broadband;
  and
               (4)  analyze how statewide access to broadband would
  benefit:
                     (A)  economic development;
                     (B)  the delivery of educational opportunities in
  higher education and public education;
                     (C)  state and local law enforcement;
                     (D)  state emergency preparedness; and
                     (E)  the delivery of health care services,
  including telemedicine and telehealth.
         SECTION 3.  Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Chapter 490I to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 490I. BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
         Sec. 490I.0101.  THRESHOLD SPEED FOR BROADBAND SERVICE.  (a)  
  For purposes of this chapter, subject to Subsection (b), "broadband
  service" means Internet service with the capability of providing:
               (1)  a download speed of 25 megabits per second or
  faster; and
               (2)  an upload speed of three megabits per second or
  faster.
         (b)  If the Federal Communications Commission adopts upload
  or download threshold speeds for advanced telecommunications
  capability under 47 U.S.C. Section 1302 that are different than
  those specified by Subsection (a), the comptroller by rule may
  require Internet service to be capable of providing download or
  upload speeds that match that federal threshold in order to qualify
  under this chapter as "broadband service."
         (c)  Not later than the 60th day after the date the
  comptroller adjusts the minimum download or upload speeds required
  for Internet service to qualify as "broadband service," the
  broadband development office shall publish on the comptroller's
  Internet website the adjusted minimum download and upload speeds.
         Sec. 490I.0102.  OFFICE. (a) The broadband development
  office is an office within the comptroller's office.
         (b)  The comptroller may employ additional employees
  necessary for the discharge of the duties of the broadband
  development office.
         (c)  The broadband development office:
               (1)  is under the direction and control of the
  comptroller;
               (2)  shall promote the policies enumerated in this
  chapter; and
               (3)  may perform any action authorized by state or
  federal law.
         Sec. 490I.0103.  POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The broadband
  development office shall:
               (1)  serve as a resource for information regarding
  broadband service in this state;
               (2)  engage in outreach to communities regarding the
  expansion, adoption, and affordability of broadband service and the
  programs administered by the office; and
               (3)  serve as an information clearinghouse in relation
  to federal programs providing assistance to local entities with
  respect to broadband service.
         (b)  The office has the powers necessary to carry out the
  duties of the office under this chapter, including the power to
  enter into contracts and other necessary instruments.
         (c)  This chapter does not grant the comptroller authority to
  regulate broadband services or broadband service providers or,
  except as required of an applicant or recipient under Section
  490I.0106, to require broadband service providers to submit
  information to the comptroller.
         Sec. 490I.0104.  PARTICIPATION IN PROCEEDINGS OF THE FEDERAL
  COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION. (a) The broadband development office
  may monitor, participate in, and provide input in proceedings of
  the Federal Communications Commission related to the geographic
  availability and deployment of broadband service in this state to
  ensure that:
               (1)  the information available to the Federal
  Communications Commission reflects the current status of
  geographic availability and deployment of broadband service in this
  state; and
               (2)  this state is best positioned to benefit from
  broadband service deployment programs administered by federal
  agencies.
         (b)  The office may participate in a process established by
  the Federal Communications Commission allowing governmental
  entities to challenge the accuracy of the commission's information
  regarding the geographic availability and deployment of broadband
  service. 
         (c)  The office shall establish procedures and a data
  collection process in accordance with rules established by the
  Federal Communications Commission for the Digital Opportunity Data
  Collection that will enable the office to participate in the
  process described by Subsection (b).
         Sec. 490I.0105.  BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT MAP. (a) The
  broadband development office shall create, update annually, and
  publish on the comptroller's Internet website a map classifying
  each designated area in this state as:
               (1)  an eligible area, if fewer than 80 percent of the
  addresses in the designated area have access to broadband service;
  or
               (2)  an ineligible area, if 80 percent or more of the
  addresses in the designated area have access to broadband service.
         (b)  The comptroller by rule may determine the scope of a
  designated area under Subsection (a).
         (c)  The map required by Subsection (a) must display:
               (1)  the number of broadband service providers that
  serve each designated area;
               (2)  for each eligible area, an indication of whether
  the area has access to Internet service that is not broadband
  service, regardless of the technology used to provide the service;
  and
               (3)  each public school in this state and an indication
  of whether the public school has access to broadband service.
         (d)  The office must create, update, and publish the map in a
  manner consistent with the most current mapping methodology adopted
  by the Federal Communications Commission.
         (e)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), the office shall
  use information available from the Federal Communications
  Commission to create or update the map.
         (f)  If information from the Federal Communications
  Commission is not available or not sufficient for the office to
  create or update the map, the office may request the necessary
  information from a political subdivision or broadband service
  provider, and the subdivision or provider may report the
  information to the office. The office may not require a subdivision
  or provider to report information in a format different from the
  format required by the most current mapping methodology adopted by
  the Federal Communications Commission.
         (g)  Information a broadband service provider reports to the
  office under Subsection (f) and information provided by the Federal
  Communications Commission, if not publicly available, is
  confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552.
         (h)  The office may contract with a private consultant or
  other appropriate person who is not associated or affiliated with a
  commercial broadband provider, including a local governmental
  entity, to provide technical or administrative assistance to the
  office for the purpose of creating or updating the map.
         (i)  The office may release information reported under
  Subsection (f) to a contractor providing services under Subsection
  (h).  The contractor shall:
               (1)  keep the information confidential; and
               (2)  return the information to the office on the
  earliest of the following dates:
                     (A)  the date the contract expires;
                     (B)  the date the contract is terminated; or
                     (C)  the date the mapping project for which the
  contractor is providing services is complete.
         (j)  A person who contracts under Subsection (h) may not
  provide services for a broadband provider in this state before the
  second anniversary of the last day the person was under the
  contract.
         (k)  The office shall establish criteria for determining
  whether a designated area should be reclassified as an eligible
  area or an ineligible area. The criteria must include an evaluation
  of Internet speed test data and information on end user addresses.
         (l)  A broadband service provider or political subdivision
  may petition the office to reclassify a designated area on the map
  as an eligible area or ineligible area. The office shall provide
  notice of the petition to each broadband service provider that
  provides broadband service to the designated area and post notice
  of the petition on the comptroller's Internet website.
         (m)  Not later than the 45th day after the date that a
  broadband provider receives notice under Subsection (l), the
  provider shall provide information to the office showing whether
  the designated area should or should not be reclassified.
         (n)  Not later than the 75th day after the date that a
  broadband provider receives notice under Subsection (l), the office
  shall determine whether to reclassify the designated area on the
  map and update the map as necessary. A determination made by the
  office under this subsection is not a contested case for purposes of
  Chapter 2001.
         (o)  The office is not required to create, update, or publish
  a map under this section if the Federal Communications Commission
  produces a map that:
               (1)  enables the office to identify eligible and
  ineligible areas, as described by Subsection (a); and
               (2)  meets the requirements of Subsection (c).
         Sec. 490I.0106.  BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. (a) The
  broadband development office shall establish a program to award
  grants, low-interest loans, and other financial incentives to
  applicants for the purpose of expanding access to and adoption of
  broadband service in designated areas determined to be eligible
  areas by the office under Section 490I.0105.
         (b)  The office shall establish and publish criteria for
  making awards under Subsection (a). The office shall:
               (1)  take into consideration grants and other financial
  incentives awarded by the federal government for the deployment of
  broadband service in a designated area; and
               (2)  prioritize the applications of applicants that
  will expand access to and adoption of broadband service in eligible
  areas in which the lowest percentage of addresses have access to
  broadband service.
         (c)  The office may not:
               (1)  favor a particular broadband technology in
  awarding grants, loans, or other financial incentives;
               (2)  award grants, loans, or other financial incentives
  to a broadband provider that does not report information requested
  by the office under Section 490I.0105;
               (3)  award a grant, loan, or other financial incentive
  to a noncommercial provider of broadband service for an eligible
  area if a commercial provider of broadband service has submitted an
  application for the eligible area; or
               (4)  take into consideration distributions from the
  state universal service fund established under Section 56.021,
  Utilities Code, when deciding to award grants, loans, or other
  financial incentives.
         (d)  The office shall:
               (1)  post on the comptroller's Internet website
  information about the application process and the receipt of awards
  and shall update that information as necessary; and
               (2)  make each application available on the
  comptroller's Internet website for a period of at least 30 days
  before the office makes a decision on the application.
         (e)  During the 30-day posting period described by
  Subsection (d) for an application, the office shall accept from any
  interested party a written protest of the application relating to
  whether the applicant or project is eligible for an award or should
  not receive an award based on the criteria prescribed by the office.
         (f)  The office shall establish and publish criteria for
  award recipients. The criteria must include requirements that
  grants, loans, and other financial incentives awarded through the
  program be used only for capital expenses, purchase or lease of
  property, and other expenses, including backhaul and transport,
  that will facilitate the provision or adoption of broadband
  service.
         (g)  An award granted under this section does not affect the
  eligibility of a telecommunications provider to receive support
  from the state universal service fund under Section 56.021,
  Utilities Code.
         Sec. 490I.0107.  STATE BROADBAND PLAN. (a) The broadband
  development office shall prepare, update, and publish on the
  comptroller's Internet website a state broadband plan that
  establishes long-term goals for greater access to and adoption and
  affordability of broadband service in this state.
         (b)  In developing the state broadband plan, the office
  shall:
               (1)  to the extent possible, collaborate with state
  agencies, political subdivisions, broadband industry stakeholders
  and representatives, and community organizations that focus on
  broadband services and technology access;
               (2)  consider the policy recommendations of the
  governor's broadband development council;
               (3)  favor policies that are technology-neutral and
  protect all members of the public;
               (4)  explore state and regional approaches to broadband
  development; and
               (5)  examine broadband service needs related to:
                     (A)  public safety, including the needs of state
  agencies involved in the administration of criminal justice, as
  that term is defined by Article 66.001, Code of Criminal Procedure;
                     (B)  public education and state and local
  education agencies, including any agency involved in the electronic
  administration of an assessment instrument required under Section
  39.023, Education Code; and
                     (C)  public health, including the needs of state
  agencies involved in the administration of public health
  initiatives such as the Health and Human Services Commission and
  the Department of State Health Services.
         Sec. 490I.0108.  BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT. (a) The
  broadband development account is an account in the general revenue
  fund.
         (b)  The account consists of:
               (1)  appropriations of money to the account by the
  legislature;
               (2)  gifts, donations, and grants, including federal
  grants; and
               (3)  interest earned on the investment of the money in
  the account.
         (c)  The comptroller shall deposit to the credit of the
  account federal money received by the state for the purpose of
  broadband development, to the extent permitted by federal law.
         (d)  Money in the account may be appropriated only to the
  broadband development office for purposes of:
               (1)  creating or updating the map described by Section
  490I.0105;
               (2)  administering the broadband development program
  under Section 490I.0106;
               (3)  creating or updating the state broadband plan
  under Section 490I.0107; or
               (4)  engaging in outreach to communities regarding the
  expansion, adoption, and affordability of broadband service and the
  programs administered by the office.
         (e)  The account is exempt from the application of Sections
  403.095, 403.0956, and 404.071.
         Sec. 490I.0109.  RULEMAKING. The comptroller may adopt
  rules as necessary to implement this chapter.
         SECTION 4.  (a) The broadband development office
  established by Section 490I.0102, Government Code, as added by this
  Act, shall publish the map required by Section 490I.0105,
  Government Code, as added by this Act, on the comptroller's
  Internet website not later than September 1, 2022.
         (b)  Not later than January 1, 2022, the office shall publish
  on the comptroller's Internet website:
               (1)  a map created by the Federal Communications
  Commission that displays the number of broadband service providers
  that serve each designated area; or
               (2)  a link to a map described by Subdivision (1) of
  this subsection.
         (c)  For the purpose of administering the broadband
  development program established by Section 490I.0106, Government
  Code, as added by this Act, the office shall use a map described by
  Subsection (b) of this section to determine whether an area is
  eligible until the office publishes the map required by Section
  490I.0105, Government Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 5.  The broadband development office established by
  Section 490I.0102, Government Code, as added by this Act, shall
  prepare the initial state broadband plan required by Section
  490I.0107, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than
  September 1, 2022.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.