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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the regulation of the funding resources awarded by the |
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broadband development office. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 490I.0103(c), Government Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(c) This chapter does not grant the comptroller authority to |
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regulate broadband services or broadband service providers or, |
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except as required of an applicant or recipient under Section |
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490I.0106, to require broadband service providers to: |
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(1) submit information to the comptroller; or |
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(2) comply with best practices for broadband |
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development. |
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SECTION 2. Sections 490I.0106(b) and (h), Government Code, |
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are amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The office shall establish and publish criteria for |
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making awards under Subsection (a). The office shall: |
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(1) take into consideration grants and other financial |
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incentives awarded by the federal government for the deployment of |
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broadband service in a designated area; |
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(2) prioritize the applications of applicants that |
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will expand access to and adoption of broadband service in eligible |
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areas in which the lowest percentage of addresses have access to |
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broadband service; [and] |
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(3) prioritize the applications of applicants that |
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will expand access to broadband service in public and private |
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primary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education; |
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and |
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(4) develop best practices for broadband development |
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and provide the manner in which award recipients must comply with |
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those best practices. |
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(h) The office shall establish and publish criteria for |
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award recipients. The criteria must include requirements that |
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grants, loans, and other financial incentives awarded through the |
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program be used only: |
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(1) for capital expenses, purchase or lease of |
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property, and other expenses, including backhaul and transport, |
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that will facilitate the provision or adoption of broadband |
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service; and |
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(2) in the manner provided by the office for |
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compliance with the best practices for broadband development |
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developed under Subsection (b)(4). |
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SECTION 3. Section 490I.0106, Government Code, as amended |
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by this Act, applies only to an application submitted to the |
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broadband development office on or after the date the office |
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publishes the best practices for broadband development as provided |
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by that section. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |