Bill Text: TX HB2952 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of an emergency radio infrastructure grant program.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)

Status: (Passed) 2019-05-29 - Effective on 9/1/19 [HB2952 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB2952-Enrolled.html

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H.B. No. 2952

AN ACT
relating to the establishment of an emergency radio infrastructure
grant program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter N, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 411.4015 to read as follows:
Sec. 411.4015. GRANTS TO FINANCE INTEROPERABLE STATEWIDE
EMERGENCY RADIO INFRASTRUCTURE. (a) The office of the governor
shall establish a program to provide grants as provided by Section
411.402.
(b) The office of the governor shall establish procedures to
administer the grant program, including a procedure for the
submission of a proposal and a procedure to be used by the office to
evaluate a proposal.
(c) The office of the governor shall enter into a contract
that includes performance requirements with each grant recipient.
The office shall monitor and enforce the terms of the contract.
(d) The office of the governor shall adopt rules to
administer this section.
SECTION 2. Section 411.402, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 411.402. USE OF GRANTS [REVENUE]. (a) A grant
provided under Section 411.4015 [Fees collected under Section
133.102(e)(11), Local Government Code,] may only:
(1) be used for the planning, development, provision,
enhancement, or ongoing maintenance of an interoperable statewide
emergency radio infrastructure;
(2) be used in accordance with the statewide
integrated public safety radio communications plan developed under
Subchapter F, Chapter 421;
(3) be used for the development of a regional or state
interoperable radio communication system;
(4) be made [distributed as grants by the department]
to:
(A) regional councils of government that have
entered into interlocal agreements authorized under state law; and
(B) state agencies requiring emergency radio
infrastructure; or
(5) be used for other public safety purposes.
(b) A grant provided under Section 411.4015 [Fees collected
and distributed as provided by this subchapter] may not be used to
purchase or maintain radio subscriber equipment.
SECTION 3. Sections 411.403(b) and (c), Government Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(b) The account consists of:
(1) fees deposited in the account as provided by
Section 133.102(e)(9) [133.102(e)(11)], Local Government Code; and
(2) notwithstanding Section 404.071, all interest
attributable to money held in the account.
(c) Money in the account may be used only for grants made
under this subchapter [appropriated to the department for the
purposes described by Section 411.402].
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2952 was passed by the House on April
11, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 1, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2952 was passed by the Senate on May
16, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor