H.B. No. 2911
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to next generation 9-1-1 service and the establishment of
  a next generation 9-1-1 service fund.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 771.001, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Subdivisions (5-a) and (5-b) and amending
  Subdivision (6) to read as follows:
               (5-a)  "Next generation 9-1-1 service" has the meaning
  assigned by 47 U.S.C. Section 942.
               (5-b)  "Next generation 9-1-1 service fund" means the
  next generation 9-1-1 service fund established under Section
  771.0713.
               (6)  "9-1-1 service" means a communications service
  that connects users to a public safety answering point through a
  9-1-1 system.  The term includes next generation 9-1-1 service.
         SECTION 2.  Section 771.059, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 771.059.  TARGET DATE [DEADLINE] FOR STATEWIDE NEXT
  GENERATION 9-1-1 SERVICE. Before September 1, 2025 [1995], all
  parts of the state must be covered by next generation 9-1-1 service.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter D, Chapter 771, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 771.0713 to read as follows:
         Sec. 771.0713.  NEXT GENERATION 9-1-1 SERVICE FUND. (a) The
  next generation 9-1-1 service fund is created as a fund in the state
  treasury outside the general revenue fund.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by
  federal law, the comptroller shall transfer to the credit of the
  next generation 9-1-1 service fund any amount available from
  federal money provided to this state from the Coronavirus State and
  Local Fiscal Recovery Funds under Section 9901 of the American
  Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) or from any other
  federal governmental source for purposes of this chapter. The
  comptroller shall transfer the money as soon as practicable
  following the receipt by this state of a sufficient amount of
  federal money for the transfer.
         (c)  Money deposited to the credit of the next generation
  9-1-1 service fund may be used only for the purpose of supporting
  the deployment and reliable operation of next generation 9-1-1
  service, including the costs of equipment, operations, and
  administration. Money in the fund may be distributed to only the
  commission and emergency communication districts and must be used
  in a manner that complies with federal law.
         (d)  Interest earned on money deposited to the credit of the
  next generation 9-1-1 service fund is exempt from Section 404.071,
  Government Code. Interest on money in the fund shall be retained in
  the fund.
         (e)  The comptroller may issue guidelines for use by the
  commission and emergency communication districts in implementing
  this section.
         (f)  All money in the fund shall be distributed in accordance
  with this section not later than December 31, 2022, and all money
  distributed under this section shall be spent not later than
  December 31, 2024, for the deployment and reliable operation of
  next generation 9-1-1 service.
         (g)  This section expires September 1, 2025.
         SECTION 4.  Sections 771.0711(g) and (j), Health and Safety
  Code, are repealed.
         SECTION 5.  Not later than December 1, 2021, the comptroller
  of public accounts shall adopt rules necessary to establish and
  administer the next generation 9-1-1 service fund established under
  Section 771.0713, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2911 was passed by the House on May 7,
  2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 103, Nays 40, 1 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 2911 on May 28, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 117, Nays 30,
  1 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2911 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 25, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays
  1.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor