Bill Text: TX HJR125 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Proposing a constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 38-24)

Status: (Passed) 2023-05-30 - Filed with the Secretary of State [HJR125 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HJR125-Engrossed.html

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88R20126 DIO-F
By: Ashby, et al. H.J.R. No. 125

A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment creating the broadband
infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of broadband and
telecommunications services projects in the state.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by
adding Section 49-d-16 to read as follows:
Sec. 49-d-16. (a) In this section:
(1) "Comptroller" means the comptroller of public
accounts of the State of Texas or its successor.
(2) "Fund" means the broadband infrastructure fund.
(b) The broadband infrastructure fund is created as a
special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue
fund.
(c) The fund consists of:
(1) appropriations from the legislature for deposit to
the credit of the fund;
(2) money transferred or deposited to the credit of
the fund by this constitution or by general law;
(3) revenue that the legislature by general law
dedicates for deposit to the credit of the fund;
(4) investment earnings and interest earned on money
in the fund; and
(5) gifts, grants, and donations to the fund.
(d) Money in the fund shall be administered by the
comptroller. Money from the fund may be used, without further
appropriation, only for the expansion of access to and adoption of
broadband and telecommunications services, including:
(1) the development, construction, reconstruction,
and expansion of broadband and telecommunications infrastructure
or services;
(2) the operation of broadband and telecommunications
infrastructure;
(3) the provision of broadband and telecommunications
services, including services authorized by general law to be funded
by the universal service fund; and
(4) the reasonable expenses of administering and
managing the investments of the fund.
(e) The legislature by general law shall provide for the
manner in which the assets of the fund may be used, subject to the
limitations of this section. Money in the fund may be used in
conjunction with other funds or financial resources, including
money from the federal government, in accordance with procedures,
standards, and limitations established by federal law and general
law of this state.
(f) Not later than January 15, 2024, the comptroller shall
transfer $5 billion from the economic stabilization fund to the
fund.
(g) For purposes of Section 22, Article VIII, of this
constitution:
(1) money in the fund is dedicated by this
constitution; and
(2) an appropriation of state tax revenues from the
economic stabilization fund for the purpose of depositing money to
the credit of the fund is treated as if it were an appropriation of
revenues dedicated by this constitution.
(h) Unless extended by adoption of a concurrent resolution
approved by a record vote of two-thirds of the members of each house
of the legislature, this section expires on September 1, 2035. A
resolution suspends the expiration of this section until September
1 of the 10th year following the adoption of the resolution.
(i) Immediately before the expiration of this section, the
comptroller shall transfer any unexpended and unobligated balance
remaining in the fund to the economic stabilization fund.
SECTION 2. The following temporary provision is added to
the Texas Constitution:
TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies
to the amendment to Article III of this constitution as proposed by
the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, creating the broadband
infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of broadband and
telecommunications services projects in the state.
(b) The change made to Article III of this constitution by
the amendment described in Subsection (a) takes effect January 1,
2024.
(c) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment creating the broadband
infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of broadband and
telecommunications services projects in the state."