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Legislation
89th Legislature, Regular Session
Summary of Senate Bill (SB) 1405
SB 1405 (Sen. Nichols) implements important reforms aimed at improving broadband access across the state. It redefines "unserved" areas on the state map by aligning with federal standards and specifically incorporates public schools and community anchor institutions that lack gigabit service. The bill also streamlines the Broadband Development Program, allowing for a wider range of funding options, including contracts. Additionally, it establishes a process for rescinding funds from awardees who cause damage to private property.
The bill shifts the mapping responsibility by permitting the state to utilize the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Map dataset and eliminates sales tax on internet access. Finally, it broadens the scope of qualifying broadband grants for tax purposes and abolishes the Governor's Broadband Development Council.
Summary of SB 1211
SB 1211 (Sen. Nichols) streamlines the permitting process for fiber projects by exempting communication facilities from notice requirements when digging trenches on state and local public land. This legislation effectively reduces bureaucratic hurdles, paving the way for faster deployment of fiber infrastructure.
Summary of House Bill (HB) 3260
HB 3260 (Rep. K. Bell) authorizes the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to provide partial reimbursement to employers for training costs as apprentices reach specific milestones during their training and employment. Additionally, the bill mandates the TWC to develop Texas-specific guidelines for the program. Funding for broadband apprenticeship initiatives will be sourced from the Broadband Infrastructure Fund (BIF), as established by the Contingency Rider for HB 3260 in Article IX of the General Appropriations Act, overseen by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Summary of SB 2900
SB 2900 (Sen. Kolkhorst) repeals the Broadband Development Office Board of Advisors.
88th Legislature, Regular Session
Summary of House Joint Resolution (HJR) 125
HJR 125 (Rep. Ashby) approved by voters in November 2023, amended the constitution to create the Broadband Infrastructure Fund (BIF) (PDF) which provides $1.5 billion in state dollars to fund broadband and emergency telecommunications infrastructure projects in Texas.
The BIF will expire on Sept. 1, 2035, and any unexpended or unobligated funds will be transferred to the General Revenue Fund immediately before the expiration date.
Summary of HB 9
HB 9 (Rep. Ashby et al.) dedicated $1.5 billion to the BIF (PDF), once it was approved by voters in November 2023. Use of the BIF is limited to the following categories:
- Administering the Broadband Development Program.
- Providing a state match to Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment funds.
- Funding 9-1-1 services and upgrades, providing a one-time transfer of $155,200,000 to the NextGen 9-1-1 Service Fund.
- Funding the Broadband Pole Replacement Program created by HB 1505 (87R), providing a one-time transfer of $75 million.
Summary of SB 1243
SB 1243 (Sen. Huffman) excludes federal grants (PDF) received under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the purpose of broadband deployment in Texas from the calculation of total revenue used to determine franchise tax liability.
Summary of SB 2119
SB 2119 (Sen. Schwertner) tasks the BDO with providing broadband data to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PDF) to assist the commission in creating a map displaying areas in the state receiving broadband and Universal Service Funds.
87th Legislature, Regular Session
Summary of Senate Bill (SB) 1238
SB 1238 (Sen. Nichols) amends the Government Code to build on the Broadband Development Program established by HB 5 (87R). This legislation provides updated policy and guidance for the BDO (PDF) to administer the program more efficiently. More specifically, the bill:
- Updates the definition of “broadband service” to include latency.
- Pivots the state broadband map from depicting areas eligible for available funding to an analysis tool depicting unserved and underserved locations.
- Removes the program’s technology-neutral requirement and adds in a preference for end-to-end fiber optic technology while providing exceptions if the use of an alternative technology is proposed for a high-cost area or may be deployed at a lower cost.
- Clarifies that only existing federal funding commitments to expand broadband will disqualify locations from funding.
- Removes the prohibition on internet service providers that don't submit data to the BDO from applying for funding.
- Requires awardees to submit deployment plans for prior awarded federal funds to the BDO.
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