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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 broadband Internet connectivity and |
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broadband access grant program to facilitate instruction and |
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learning for 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. BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS GRANT PROGRAM |
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Sec. 32.321. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. (a) The agency |
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shall establish a broadband Internet access grant program to |
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provide grants to school districts for the purpose of incentivizing |
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districts to develop unique or inventive methods for increasing |
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broadband Internet access to facilitate instruction and learning |
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for district students. |
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(b) A school district may apply to the commissioner to |
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participate in the grant program. The commissioner shall develop |
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eligibility criteria for school districts to receive grants under |
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the program. |
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(c) The commissioner may determine the terms of a grant |
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awarded under this section, including limits on the amount of a |
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grant and the approved uses of grant funds. |
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Sec. 32.322. FUNDING. (a) The commissioner shall use funds |
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appropriated or other funds available for the purpose of the grant |
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program authorized under this subchapter. |
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(b) The commissioner may solicit and accept gifts, grants, |
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and donations from any public or private source, including the |
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federal government. |
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Sec. 32.323. RULES. The commissioner may adopt rules as |
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necessary to implement this subchapter. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |