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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 mobile Internet access hotspot grant |
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program to provide grants to facilitate distance learning for |
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public school students. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 32, Education Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter H to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER H. MOBILE INTERNET ACCESS HOTSPOT GRANTS PROGRAM |
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Sec. 32.321. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. (a) To the extent |
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funds are available for the purpose, the agency shall establish a |
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mobile Internet access hotspot grant program to provide grants to |
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eligible school districts to facilitate distance learning. |
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(b) The agency shall develop: |
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(1) a method to prioritize grants to serve the highest |
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number of low-income students; |
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(2) eligibility criteria for school districts to |
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receive grants under the program; and |
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(3) an annual application process for school districts |
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to apply to receive grants under the program. |
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Sec. 32.322. FUNDING. The commissioner: |
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(1) may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and |
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donations from any public or private source, person, or group to |
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implement and administer this subchapter; and |
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(2) shall maximize the funding by leveraging federal, |
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state, local, and private money to provide grants under the |
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program. |
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Sec. 32.323. USE OF GRANT FUNDS. (a) A school district may |
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use money received from a grant under this subchapter to facilitate |
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a mobile Internet access hotspot program that provides hotspot |
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devices to: |
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(1) students enrolled in the district; or |
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(2) the parents or guardians of students enrolled in |
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the district. |
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(b) A device provided under a mobile Internet access hotspot |
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program established under Subsection (a) must: |
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(1) be portable; |
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(2) not be subject to a data limitation; and |
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(3) comply with all applicable state and federal laws |
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regarding online privacy. |
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Sec. 32.324. REPORTS TO LEGISLATURE. The agency shall |
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submit a report to the legislature that includes data and analysis |
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regarding the efficacy of the program under this subchapter and any |
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associated recommendations: |
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(1) not later than December 1, 2023; and |
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(2) not later than December 1, 2027. |
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Sec. 32.325. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September |
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1, 2028. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2022-2023 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |