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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study by the broadband development office on Internet |
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service for multiunit residential properties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: |
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(1) "Broadband service" means Internet service with |
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the capability of providing: |
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(A) a speed of not less than 100 megabits per |
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second for a download; |
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(B) a speed of not less than 20 megabits per |
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second for an upload; and |
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(C) a network round-trip latency of less than or |
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equal to 100 milliseconds based on the 95th percentile of speed |
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measurements. |
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(2) "Multiunit residential property" means improved |
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real property with at least 75 dwelling units, including an |
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apartment building or condominium. The term does not include a |
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hotel, motel, single-family home, or duplex. |
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(3) "Office" means the broadband development office. |
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SECTION 2. STUDY ON BROADBAND ACCESS FOR MULTIUNIT |
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RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. (a) The office shall conduct a study on |
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the availability of access to Internet service for residents of |
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multiunit residential properties in this state. |
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(b) The study must: |
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(1) identify areas that lack physical infrastructure |
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necessary for the provision of broadband service for multiunit |
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residential properties; |
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(2) compare: |
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(A) the number of broadband service providers |
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that serve multiunit residential properties in urban areas to the |
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number that serve single-family homes in urban areas; and |
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(B) average internet speeds available in urban |
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areas to multiunit residential properties and to single-family |
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homes; |
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(3) estimate the average cost of broadband service in |
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multiunit residential properties in urban areas; |
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(4) determine the percentage of multiunit residential |
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properties in urban areas that have access to Internet service |
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providers that are capable of providing reliable broadband service; |
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(5) assess Internet service downtime and consistency |
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of Internet speeds for multiunit residential properties; |
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(6) assess the availability and usage of broadband |
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affordability programs for multiunit residential properties in |
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urban areas; |
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(7) assess the effects for tenants of a multiunit |
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residential property of the property owner entering into an |
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exclusive contract with an Internet service provider for the entire |
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property, including effects on service costs; |
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(8) assess the effects of municipal regulations and an |
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absence of municipal regulations on broadband service |
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infrastructure deployment in areas with a high concentration of |
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multiunit residential properties; and |
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(9) where possible, include an assessment of whether |
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the factors described above differ in low-income areas and |
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higher-income areas. |
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SECTION 3. REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE. Not later than |
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December 1, 2026, the office shall submit to the governor, the |
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lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, |
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and each standing committee of the legislature with jurisdiction |
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over broadband service a report that includes the results of the |
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study and any recommendations of the office related to the study. |
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SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2027. |
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SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September |
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1, 2025. |