Bill Text: TX HB3406 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the creation of a mobile Internet access hotspot grant program to provide grants to facilitate distance learning for public school students.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-22 - Referred to Public Education [HB3406 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB3406-Introduced.html
  87R9677 CXP-F
 
  By: Raymond H.B. No. 3406
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a mobile Internet access hotspot grant
  program to provide grants to facilitate distance learning for
  public school students.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 32, Education Code, is amended by adding
  Subchapter H to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER H. MOBILE INTERNET ACCESS HOTSPOT GRANTS PROGRAM
         Sec. 32.321.  ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. (a) To the extent
  funds are available for the purpose, the agency shall establish a
  mobile Internet access hotspot grant program to provide grants to
  eligible school districts to facilitate distance learning.
         (b)  The agency shall develop:
               (1)  a method to prioritize grants to serve the highest
  number of low-income students;
               (2)  eligibility criteria for school districts to
  receive grants under the program; and
               (3)  an annual application process for school districts
  to apply to receive grants under the program.
         Sec. 32.322.  FUNDING. The commissioner:
               (1)  may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
  donations from any public or private source, person, or group to
  implement and administer this subchapter; and 
               (2)  shall maximize the funding by leveraging federal,
  state, local, and private money to provide grants under the
  program.
         Sec. 32.323.  USE OF GRANT FUNDS. (a) A school district may
  use money received from a grant under this subchapter to facilitate
  a mobile Internet access hotspot program that provides hotspot
  devices to:
               (1)  students enrolled in the district; or
               (2)  the parents or guardians of students enrolled in
  the district.
         (b)  A device provided under a mobile Internet access hotspot
  program established under Subsection (a) must:
               (1)  be portable;
               (2)  not be subject to a data limitation; and
               (3)  comply with all applicable state and federal laws
  regarding online privacy.
         Sec. 32.324.  REPORTS TO LEGISLATURE. The agency shall
  submit a report to the legislature that includes data and analysis
  regarding the efficacy of the program under this subchapter and any
  associated recommendations:
               (1)  not later than December 1, 2023; and
               (2)  not later than December 1, 2027.
         Sec. 32.325.  EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September
  1, 2028.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2022-2023
  school year.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
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