On Thursday, Texas lawmakers signed a $5 billion bill to advance broadband development. The Texas Tribune reported that House Bill 9 would create the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund, marking the most significant investment in the state’s broadband development.
The proposed legislation would help fill the broadband gap between the “haves” and “have nots,” with 7 million Texans lacking service. According to the state’s Broadband Development Office, most urban areas are connected, while rural areas have slow or no service.
“This bill will have a measurable impact on each one of your districts,” said Rep. Trent Ashby, who filed HB9, “no matter whether they be urban, suburban, or rural.”
The Texas Tribune reported that the legislation had cleared both chambers. It will return to the House for final approval before moving to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.
During the approval process, two amendments were adopted, including one from Sen. Joan Huffman, removing “legal burdens allowing for monies to be allocated without the need for burdensome legal filings for each individual asset.” The other amendment, proposed by Sen. Robert Nichols, according to the Tribune, ensures providers have “skin in the game,” requiring funding matches on a sliding scale.
The bill is accompanied by House Joint Resolution 125, proposing a constitutional amendment, asking Texas voters to approve the $5 billion budget and establish the broadband fund during the November election. The fund, if approved, would be administered by the state’s comptroller’s office.
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