| |
| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to a grant program to assist nonprofit organizations, |
|
|
regional planning commissions, and emergency communication |
|
|
districts in the provision of emergency communications services in |
|
|
this state. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 771, Health and Safety |
|
|
Code, is amended by adding Section 771.080 to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 771.080. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES GRANT |
|
|
PROGRAM. (a) From money appropriated or otherwise available for |
|
|
that purpose, the commission shall establish and administer a grant |
|
|
program to assist nonprofit organizations, regional planning |
|
|
commissions, and emergency communication districts with providing |
|
|
emergency communications services, including 9-1-1 service, to end |
|
|
users in this state. |
|
|
(b) The commission by rule shall: |
|
|
(1) develop an application process for an entity |
|
|
applying for a grant under this section; |
|
|
(2) develop eligibility and selection criteria for an |
|
|
entity applying for a grant under this section; |
|
|
(3) develop procedures for commission approval of the |
|
|
use of grant money awarded under this section; and |
|
|
(4) establish accountability controls for grant |
|
|
recipients to ensure the public purpose of providing emergency |
|
|
communications services is accomplished and this state receives a |
|
|
return benefit. |
|
|
(c) In addition to money appropriated by the legislature, |
|
|
the commission may accept gifts, grants, or donations from any |
|
|
source to administer and finance the grant program established |
|
|
under this section. |
|
|
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
|
|
of this Act, the Commission on State Emergency Communications shall |
|
|
establish the emergency communications services grant program |
|
|
required by Section 771.080, Health and Safety Code, as added by |
|
|
this Act. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
|
|
last day of the legislative session. |