Bill Text: TX SB8 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 3rd Special Session | Enrolled

---

Bill Title: Relating to making supplemental appropriations and giving direction regarding appropriations.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 24-12)

Status: (Passed) 2021-11-08 - Effective immediately [SB8 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB8-Enrolled.html

---

S.B. No. 8

AN ACT
relating to making supplemental appropriations and giving
direction regarding appropriations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS: UNEMPLOYMENT
COMPENSATION FUND. The amount of $7,245,419,946 is appropriated to
the comptroller of public accounts from money received by this
state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
(Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
Relief Fund No. 325 for use during the state fiscal year beginning
September 1, 2021, for the purpose of immediately depositing that
amount to the credit of the unemployment compensation fund under
Section 203.021, Labor Code, to pay back outstanding advances
received by this state under Section 1201, Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. Section 1321), and to return the unemployment compensation
fund to the statutory floor computed under Section 204.061, Labor
Code, on October 1, 2021, as reimbursement for payments made as a
result of the coronavirus disease pandemic.
SECTION 2. TRUSTEED PROGRAMS WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE
GOVERNOR: TOURISM, TRAVEL, AND HOSPITALITY RECOVERY GRANTS. (a)
The amount of $180,000,000 is appropriated to the Trusteed Programs
within the Office of the Governor from money received by this state
from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for grants during
the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act for
tourism, travel, and hospitality industry recovery, to the extent
the grants are authorized by other law.
(b) It is the intent of the legislature that the governor
give priority to potential grantees that have not received direct
federal aid and that the amount of each authorized grant awarded
does not exceed $20,000.
SECTION 3. TRUSTEED PROGRAMS WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE
GOVERNOR: CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY. The amount of $1,200,000 is
appropriated to the Trusteed Programs within the Office of the
Governor from money received by this state from the Coronavirus
State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established
under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and
deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for
the purpose of providing funding for information technology case
management system improvements for children's advocacy centers
during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this
Act.
SECTION 4. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES: COVID-19
SERVICES. (a) The amount of $2,000,000,000 is appropriated to the
Department of State Health Services from money received by this
state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
(Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
Relief Fund No. 325 during the period beginning on the effective
date of this Act and ending January 1, 2023, for the following
purposes related to costs incurred during the period beginning
March 3, 2021, and ending January 1, 2023, due to the coronavirus
disease pandemic:
(1) providing funding for surge staffing at state and
local hospitals, long-term care facilities, psychiatric hospitals,
and nursing facilities;
(2) purchasing therapeutic drugs, including drugs for
monoclonal antibody treatments; and
(3) providing funding for the operation of regional
infusion centers.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 13.05, page IX-64, Chapter 1053
(S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the
General Appropriations Act), the Department of State Health
Services shall expend any Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds
freed-up as a result of reimbursements received by the Department
of State Health Services from the Federal Emergency Management
Agency related to expenditures paid from money appropriated under
Subsection (a) of this section only after prior approval of the
Legislative Budget Board.
SECTION 5. FISCAL PROGRAMS - COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC
ACCOUNTS: BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE. (a) The amount of
$500,475,163 is appropriated to Fiscal Programs - Comptroller of
Public Accounts from money received by this state from the
Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 804)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for broadband
infrastructure in accordance with Section 490I.0108, Government
Code, and other applicable state or federal law during the two-year
period beginning on the effective date of this Act.
(b) Out of money appropriated by Subsection (a) of this
section, $75,000,000 may be used only for the Texas broadband pole
replacement program.
SECTION 6. DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE: COMPENSATION.
(a) The amount of $359,673,191 is appropriated to the Department of
Criminal Justice from money received by this state from the
Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing compensation for agency
employees for the state fiscal year beginning September 1, 2021.
(b) The Department of Criminal Justice shall:
(1) in consultation with the comptroller of public
accounts and the Legislative Budget Board, determine the proper
allocation of benefits included in the appropriations made under
Subsection (a) of this section; and
(2) identify the strategies and objectives for which
the appropriations made under Subsection (a) of this section are
directed.
(c) It is the intent of the legislature that the Department
of Criminal Justice consider the appropriations as a change in the
method of finance of the compensation to be paid to agency employees
and not as an increase in total appropriations to the agency.
SECTION 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: FOOD BANKS. The
amount of $95,000,000 is appropriated to the Department of
Agriculture from money received by this state from the Coronavirus
State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established
under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and
deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for
the purpose of providing supplemental funding to food banks in
response to the coronavirus pandemic during the two-year period
beginning on the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 8. HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD: TEXAS
CHILD MENTAL HEALTH CARE CONSORTIUM. (a) The amount of
$113,082,887 is appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating
Board from money received by this state from the Coronavirus State
Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited
to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose
of supporting the operations and expansion of the Texas Child
Mental Health Care Consortium to expand mental health initiatives
for children, pregnant women, and women who are up to one year
postpartum during the two-year period beginning on the effective
date of this Act. At the direction of the Texas Child Mental Health
Care Consortium, the Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
transfer appropriations through interagency contracts with
health-related institutions of higher education for the following
purposes:
(1) $20,578,442 for enhancements and expansion of the
Child Psychiatry Access Network;
(2) $56,218,976 for enhancements and expansion of the
Texas Child Access Through Telemedicine program;
(3) $32,991,791 for expansion of the child and
adolescent mental health workforce; and
(4) $3,293,676 for administrative expenses.
(b) Not later than December 1, 2021, out of money
appropriated by Subsection (a) of this section, the Higher
Education Coordinating Board shall transfer $3,293,676 to an
institution of higher education designated by the Texas Child
Mental Health Care Consortium for oversight and evaluation of the
outlined initiatives by means of interagency agreements or any
other necessary contracts.
(c) The Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium may
transfer up to 10 percent of money appropriated for the purposes
described by Subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3) of this section to any
of the other purposes described by those provisions. The Texas
Child Mental Health Care Consortium may transfer more than 10
percent of funds for those purposes only with the prior approval for
the transfer and expenditure from the Legislative Budget Board. A
request for approval of the transfer and expenditure by the
consortium is considered approved unless the Legislative Budget
Board issues a written disapproval within 10 business days of the
receipt and review of the request by the Legislative Budget Board.
(d) Out of money appropriated by Subsection (a) of this
section, the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium may enhance
the Child Psychiatry Access Network to improve perinatal mental
health services.
SECTION 9. TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: STATE
OPERATIONS CENTER. The amount of $300,000,000 is appropriated to
the Texas Division of Emergency Management from money received by
this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42
U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act
of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the
Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of the acquisition
of land for, and construction of, a state operations center during
the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 10. HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD:
UNIVERSITY CONSTRUCTION. (a) Contingent on legislation by the
87th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, 2021, relating to the
issuance of tuition revenue bonds, becoming law, the amount of
$325,000,000 is appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating
Board from money received by this state from the Coronavirus State
Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited
to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose
of university construction during the two-year period beginning on
the effective date of this Act.
(b) If an appropriation made under Subsection (a) of this
section for any reason is determined by the United States
Department of the Treasury or any other qualified state or federal
authority to have been made for an improper use:
(1) the appropriated money may not be spent and shall
be retained in the treasury and available for later legislative
appropriation; and
(2) an amount equal to the amount of the appropriation
that was determined to have been made for an improper use is
appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Higher Education
Coordinating Board for the purpose and period described by
Subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION 11. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: DALLAS
STATE HOSPITAL. (a) The amount of $237,800,000 is appropriated to
the Health and Human Services Commission from money received by
this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42
U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act
of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the
Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of construction of
a state hospital in Dallas during the two-year period beginning on
the effective date of this Act.
(b) The capital budget authority of the Health and Human
Services Commission in Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th
Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the General Appropriations
Act), is increased by $237,800,000 for the appropriation made under
Subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION 12. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: RURAL
HOSPITALS. The amount of $75,000,000 is appropriated to the Health
and Human Services Commission from money received by this state
from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for grants to
support rural hospitals that have been affected by the COVID-19
pandemic during the two-year period beginning on the effective date
of this Act.
SECTION 13. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: INTERNET
PORTAL. The amount of $20,000,000 is appropriated to the Health and
Human Services Commission from money received by this state from
the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for the creation
of a consolidated Internet portal for Medicaid and the Children's
Health Insurance Program medical services provider data during the
two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 14. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION:
TECHNOLOGY UPDATES. The amount of $5,000,000 is appropriated to
the Health and Human Services Commission from money received by
this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42
U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act
of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the
Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing
funding for technology updates to the Medicaid eligibility computer
system during the two-year period beginning on the effective date
of this Act.
SECTION 15. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: TEXAS
CIVIL COMMITMENT OFFICE. The amount of $14,250 is appropriated to
the Health and Human Services Commission for the Texas Civil
Commitment Office from money received by this state from the
Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for COVID-19
related expenses incurred by the Texas Civil Commitment Office
related to consumable supplies and travel during the two-year
period beginning on the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 16. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES: RIO
GRANDE VALLEY. The amount of $16,700,000 is appropriated to the
Department of State Health Services from money received by this
state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
(Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of upgrading existing
laboratory facilities associated with a level 1 trauma facility in
Hidalgo County and new laboratory infrastructure in Starr County
during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this
Act.
SECTION 17. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
AT HOUSTON: TEXAS EPIDEMIC PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE. The amount of
$40,000,000 is appropriated to The University of Texas Health
Science Center at Houston from money received by this state from the
Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of operating the Texas Epidemic Public
Health Institute during the two-year period beginning on the
effective date of this Act.
SECTION 18. HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD: TEXAS
RESKILLING AND UPSKILLING THROUGH EDUCATION (TRUE) PROGRAM. (a)
The amount of $15,000,000 is appropriated to the Higher Education
Coordinating Board from money received by this state from the
Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of operating the Texas Reskilling and
Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program during the two-year
period beginning on the effective date of this Act.
(b) The Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
distribute the money appropriated by Subsection (a) of this section
in a manner consistent with Subchapter T-2, Chapter 61, Education
Code, as added by Section 1, Chapter 601 (S.B. 1102), Acts of the
87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021. The board may not place
additional eligibility requirements on eligible entities beyond
the statutory limitations of Subchapter T-2, Chapter 61, Education
Code, as added by Section 1, Chapter 601 (S.B. 1102), Acts of the
87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, including matching fund
requirements by recipients of money appropriated by this section.
SECTION 19. HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD:
PERFORMANCE-BASED FUNDING FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS AT COMPREHENSIVE
REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES. (a) The amount of $20,000,000 is
appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating Board from money
received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery
Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of
the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of allocating
and distributing the money in a manner that is consistent with
Subsection (b) of this section and Section 62.183(b), Education
Code, as added by Section 2, Chapter 186 (S.B. 1295), Acts of the
87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, during the state fiscal
year beginning September 1, 2021.
(b) After consultation with the Legislative Budget Board,
the Higher Education Coordinating Board shall allocate and
distribute the money appropriated by Subsection (a) of this section
to each eligible institution, as defined by Section 62.181,
Education Code, as added by Section 2, Chapter 186 (S.B. 1295), Acts
of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, in an amount equal
to the sum of the following:
(1) $250,000; and
(2) the product of:
(A) an amount of money (estimated to be $400);
and
(B) the average number of at-risk students
awarded a degree by the eligible institution each year during the
three state fiscal years preceding the first year of the state
fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2021.
SECTION 20. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: HOME-DELIVERED
MEALS. The amount of $5,000,000 is appropriated to the Department
of Agriculture from money received by this state from the
Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for
home-delivered meals during the two-year period beginning on the
effective date of this Act.
SECTION 21. GENERAL LAND OFFICE AND VETERANS LAND BOARD:
TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOMES. The amount of $35,000,000 is
appropriated to the General Land Office and the Veterans Land Board
from money received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal
Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited
to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose
of providing funding for HVAC upgrades, negative pressure COVID-19
wards, and mobile HEPA air filtration units for Texas state
veterans homes during the two-year period beginning on the
effective date of this Act.
SECTION 22. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: SUNRISE
CANYON HOSPITAL. The amount of $15,000,000 is appropriated to the
Health and Human Services Commission from money received by this
state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
(Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding during the
two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act for the
expansion of capacity of Sunrise Canyon Hospital.
SECTION 23. HISTORICAL COMMISSION:
WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS CAPITAL PLAN PROJECT. The amount of
$20,000,000 is appropriated to the Historical Commission from money
received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery
Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of
the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing
funding during the two-year period beginning on the effective date
of this Act for the purposes of the commission's capital plan
project for the Washington-on-the-Brazos state historic site.
SECTION 24. TRUSTEED PROGRAMS WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE
GOVERNOR: VICTIMS OF CRIME. (a) The amount of $160,000,000 is
appropriated to the Trusteed Programs within the Office of the
Governor from money received by this state from the Coronavirus
State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established
under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and
deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for
the purpose of providing funding for grants for victims of crime
during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this
Act.
(b) It is the intent of the legislature that grants made for
victims of crime during the state fiscal year beginning September
1, 2021, and the state fiscal year beginning September 1, 2022,
equal grants made for victims of crime during the state fiscal year
beginning September 1, 2020.
SECTION 25. DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION RESOURCES:
CYBERSECURITY PROJECTS. (a) The amount of $200,000,000 is
appropriated to the Department of Information Resources for deposit
into the Technology Improvement and Modernization Fund No. 187 and
for use during the two-year period beginning on the effective date
of this Act for the purpose of cybersecurity projects from money
received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery
Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of
the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325. Before spending money
appropriated under this subsection, the department must receive
approval for the proposed cybersecurity projects from the Joint
Oversight Committee on Investment in Information Technology
Improvement and Modernization Projects established under Section
2054.578, Government Code.
(b) The capital budget authority of the Department of
Information Resources in Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th
Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the General Appropriations
Act), is increased by $200,000,000 for the appropriation made under
Subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION 26. TEXAS FACILITIES COMMISSION: PERMIAN BASIN
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER. (a) The amount of $40,000,000 is
appropriated to the Texas Facilities Commission from money received
by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42
U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act
of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the
Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of constructing a
100-bed comprehensive behavioral health center to serve the Permian
Basin region during the two-year period beginning on the effective
date of this Act.
(b) Upon completion of the construction described by
Subsection (a) of this section, ownership of the building shall
transfer to the Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center controlled
by the Ector County Hospital District and the Midland County
Hospital District.
(c) The appropriation under Subsection (a) of this section
is contingent on the completion of a signed agreement between the
Texas Facilities Commission and the Ector County Hospital District
and the Midland County Hospital District guaranteeing the ongoing
operations of the comprehensive behavioral health center described
by Subsection (a) of this section by the Permian Basin Behavioral
Health Center to ensure the continuing benefit to the residents of
this state.
SECTION 27. OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: SEXUAL ASSAULT
PROGRAM ACCOUNT. The amount of $52,277,114 is appropriated to the
Office of the Attorney General for deposit into the Sexual Assault
Program Account No. 5010 and for use by the office as authorized by
other law during the two-year period beginning on the effective
date of this Act from money received by this state from the
Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325.
SECTION 28. OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: CRIME VICTIMS
COMPENSATION. The amount of $54,756,000 is appropriated to the
Office of the Attorney General for deposit into the Compensation to
Victims of Crime Account No. 469 and for use by the office during
the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act for
the purpose of compensating crime victims from money received by
this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42
U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act
of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the
Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325.
SECTION 29. APPROPRIATIONS FOR SHORTFALL IN COURT FEES.
(a) To address matters related to shortfalls in court fee
collections, the following amounts are appropriated to the
following entities from money received by this state from the
Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the indicated purposes for the two-year period
beginning on the effective date of this Act:
(1) Comptroller of Public Accounts, Judiciary
Section: $7,000,000 for the purpose of addressing the backlog in
court cases, including to pay for visiting judges and support
staff;
(2) Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial
Council:
(A) $3,000,000 for the purpose of addressing the
backlog in court cases, including information technology support;
and
(B) for Strategy D.1.1., Texas Indigent Defense
Commission, as listed in Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th
Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the General Appropriations
Act), $13,942,466 for deposit into the Fair Defense Account
No. 5073 and for use by the office for the purpose of addressing the
backlog in court cases, as authorized by other law;
(3) Office of Capital and Forensic Writs: $200,000 for
the purpose of addressing the backlog in court cases and paying
costs related to the coronavirus disease pandemic; and
(4) Texas Commission on Law Enforcement: $5,800,000
for deposit into the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Account
No. 116 and for use by the commission as authorized by other law.
(b) During the two-year period beginning on the effective
date of this Act, in addition to the number of full-time equivalent
(FTE) employees other law authorizes the office to employ during
that period, the Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial
Council may employ out of money appropriated by Subsection
(a)(2)(A) of this section eight full-time equivalent (FTE)
employees.
(c) During the two-year period beginning on the effective
date of this Act, in addition to the number of full-time equivalent
(FTE) employees other law authorizes the office to employ during
that period, the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs may employ out
of money appropriated by Subsection (a)(3) of this section one
full-time equivalent (FTE) employee.
(d) The capital budget authority of the Office of Court
Administration, Texas Judicial Council, in Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1),
Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the General
Appropriations Act), is increased by $1,330,680 for the
appropriation made under Subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section.
SECTION 30. COMMISSION ON STATE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS:
NEXT GENERATION 9-1-1 SERVICE FUND. (a) The amount of $150,000,000
is appropriated to the Commission on State Emergency Communications
for deposit into the Next Generation 9-1-1 Service Fund No. 0195
and for use by the commission as authorized by other law for the
deployment and reliable operation of next generation 9-1-1 service,
including equipment and administration costs, during the two-year
period beginning on the effective date of this Act from money
received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery
Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of
the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325.
(b) In accordance with Section 771.0713(f), Health and
Safety Code, it is the intent of the legislature that all money
appropriated under Subsection (a) of this section be distributed
not later than December 31, 2022, and all money distributed under
this subsection be spent not later than December 31, 2024, for the
purpose described by Subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION 31. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: PRESIDIO CUSTOMS
INSPECTION STATION. The amount of $15,500,000 is appropriated to
the Department of Transportation from money received by this state
from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for a customs
inspection station on the South Orient Rail Line in Presidio,
Texas, during the two-year period beginning on the effective date
of this Act.
SECTION 32. TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM: TRS-CARE AND
TRS-ACTIVECARE. (a) The amount of $286,337,761 is appropriated to
the Teacher Retirement System from money received by this state
from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding during the
two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act for
coronavirus-related claims in TRS-Care and TRS-ActiveCare.
(b) It is the intent of the legislature that premiums for
TRS-Care and TRS-ActiveCare insurance policies not increase as a
result of coronavirus-related claims.
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (b) of this section, it is
the intent of the legislature that the premiums for TRS-Care and
TRS-ActiveCare programs be calculated and adjusted taking into
consideration the money appropriated under this section.
SECTION 33. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: STAFFING
NEEDS. (a) The amount of $378,300,000 is appropriated to the
Health and Human Services Commission from money received by this
state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
(Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding during the
two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act for the
Health and Human Services Commission to administer one-time grants
related to providing critical staffing needs resulting from
frontline health care workers affected by COVID-19, including
recruitment and retention bonuses for staff:
(1) of nursing facilities, assisted living
facilities, home health agencies, and facilities that serve persons
with intellectual or developmental disabilities in an intermediate
care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities or
related conditions (ICF/IID); or
(2) who provide community attendant services.
(b) It is the intent of the legislature that the Health and
Human Services Commission prioritize grants to grantees that comply
with the reporting requirements prescribed by Rider 143 (Health and
Human Services Commission), Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th
Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the General Appropriations
Act), the reporting requirements established by Chapter 588 (S.B.
809), Acts of the 87th Legislature, 2021, or equivalent reporting
requirements established by the Health and Human Services
Commission.
(c) Annually, the Health and Human Services Commission
shall report to the Legislative Budget Board the grants awarded
under this section. The report must include, for the year covered
by the report, the amount of grants awarded, the award recipients,
and the total amount of each grant used by the recipient. The
report must be submitted to the Legislative Budget Board not later
than December 1 of the year in which the report is due.
(d) Of the amount appropriated under Subsection (a) of this
section:
(1) $200,000,000 shall be used only for grants for
nursing facilities; and
(2) $178,300,000 shall be used only for grants for
assisted living facilities, home health agencies, community
attendants, and facilities that serve persons with intellectual or
developmental disabilities in an intermediate care facility for
individuals with intellectual disabilities or related conditions
(ICF/IID).
(e) It is the intent of the legislature that the Health and
Human Services Commission consider federal COVID-19 relief money
received by providers when allocating the money described by
Subsection (d)(2) of this section.
SECTION 34. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES: FEDERALLY
QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER INCUBATOR PROGRAM. The amount of
$20,000,000 is appropriated to the Department of State Health
Services from money received by this state from the Coronavirus
State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established
under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and
deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for
use during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of
this Act for the Federally Qualified Health Center Incubator
Program.
SECTION 35. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES: EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICES. (a) The amount of $21,700,000 is appropriated to
the Department of State Health Services from money received by this
state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
(Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for
emergency medical response service staffing, including:
(1) funding for programs to incentivize and increase
the number of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics
that provide care on an ambulance, including funding for emergency
medical services workforce development initiatives at regional
advisory councils; and
(2) funding for Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
education programs, including distance learning programs, to
increase the number of EMTs and paramedics graduating from EMS
education programs.
(b) It is the intent of the legislature that, consistent
with state law, the Department of State Health Services prioritize
funding appropriated under Subsection (a) of this section for rural
and underserved areas.
SECTION 36. PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT: EDUCATION AND
OUTREACH GRANTS. The amount of $40,000,000 is appropriated to the
Parks and Wildlife Department from money received by this state
from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 to be used during the two-year period beginning on the
effective date of this Act for the purpose of providing funding for
grants throughout this state as authorized by other law and
consistent with Strategy C.2.1., Outreach and Education, as listed
in Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular
Session, 2021 (the General Appropriations Act).
SECTION 37. GENERAL LAND OFFICE: BRAZORIA COUNTY BEACH AND
DUNE MAINTENANCE. The amount of $5,000,000 is appropriated to the
General Land Office for the two-year period beginning on the
effective date of this Act from money received by this state from
the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for use by the office to maintain with Brazoria County
approximately 4,600 feet of beach and dunes along the Bluewater
Highway and Beach Access Road Five.
SECTION 38. GENERAL LAND OFFICE: ANALYSIS OF COASTAL TEXAS
STUDY DESIGN ELEMENTS. The amount of $300,000 is appropriated to
the General Land Office from money received by this state from the
Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 to be used during the two-year period beginning on the
effective date of this Act for the purpose of providing funding for
a cost and component analysis of the Coastal Texas Study design
elements to be conducted by the Gulf Coast Protection District
under an agreement between the office and the district.
SECTION 39. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY: INSTITUTE FOR A DISASTER
RESILIENT TEXAS. (a) The amount of $1,150,000 is appropriated to
Texas A&M University - Galveston from money received by this state
from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding to the Institute
for a Disaster Resilient Texas.
(b) Out of amounts appropriated by Subsection (a) of this
section:
(1) $1,000,000 may be used only for Digital Flood Risk
Infrastructure for Underserved Communities; and
(2) $150,000 may be used only for office space in
Houston.
SECTION 40. TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY AND UNIVERSITY OF
HOUSTON: INSTITUTIONAL ENHANCEMENTS. The amount of $100,000,000
is appropriated from money received by this state from the
Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for institutional enhancement during the two-year
period beginning on the effective date of this Act to the following
entities and in the following amounts:
(1) $50,000,000 to Texas Tech University; and
(2) $50,000,000 to the University of Houston.
SECTION 41. COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS: TEXAS SAFE
KEEPING TRUST FUND. (a) The amount of $100,000,000 is appropriated
to the comptroller of public accounts from money received by this
state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
(Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
Relief Fund No. 325 for immediate deposit to an account or fund to
be managed by the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company as
trustee for the benefit of the State Preservation Board to maintain
the Bob Bullock State History Museum.
(b) If an appropriation made under Subsection (a) of this
section for any reason is determined by the United States
Department of the Treasury or any other qualified state or federal
authority to have been made for an improper use:
(1) the appropriated money may not be spent and shall
be retained in the treasury and available for later legislative
appropriation; and
(2) an amount equal to the amount of the appropriation
that was determined to have been made for an improper use is
appropriated from the general revenue fund to the comptroller of
public accounts for the purpose described by Subsection (a) of this
section.
SECTION 42. PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT: TEXAS STATE
AQUARIUM CENTER. The amount of $3,000,000 is appropriated to the
Parks and Wildlife Department from money received by this state
from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding to the Texas State
Aquarium Center for wildlife research during the two-year period
beginning on the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 43. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN: MARINE SCIENCE
INSTITUTE HOUSING REPLACEMENT. The amount of $3,000,000 is
appropriated to the University of Texas at Austin from money
received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery
Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of
the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing
funding for the Marine Science Institute student housing
replacement for the two-year period beginning on the effective date
of this Act.
SECTION 44. TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY: PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS.
The amount of $3,000,000 is appropriated to the Texas Education
Agency from money received by this state from the Coronavirus State
Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited
to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose
of providing funding for the big brothers and big sisters program
technological staff enhancements for the two-year period beginning
on the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 45. UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN: BRISCOE GARNER
MUSEUM. The amount of $235,000 is appropriated to the University of
Texas at Austin from money received by this state from the
Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
Fund No. 325 to the University of Texas at Austin for the Briscoe
Garner Museum for the two-year period beginning on the effective
date of this Act.
SECTION 46. HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD: RURAL
VETERINARIANS GRANT PROGRAM. The amount of $1,000,000 is
appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating Board from money
received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery
Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of
the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing
funding for the rural veterinarians grant program for the two-year
period beginning on the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 47. STATE PRESERVATION BOARD: MAINTENANCE AND
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. (a) The amount of $25,000,000 is
appropriated to the State Preservation Board from money received by
this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42
U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act
of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the
Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of maintenance and
capital improvement projects during the state fiscal biennium
beginning September 1, 2021.
(b) The capital budget authority of the State Preservation
Board in Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2021 (the General Appropriations Act), is
increased by $25,000,000 for the appropriation made under
Subsection (a) of this section.
SECTION 48. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES AND HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: FEDERAL FUNDS FOR HOSPITALS. It is
the intent of the Legislature that the Department of State Health
Services and the Health and Human Services Commission, in
distributing any money received from the Coronavirus State Fiscal
Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited
to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 distribute the
money appropriated by this Act to entities that are subject to the
hospital price transparency public disclosure requirements
required by 45 C.F.R. Sections 180.10 - 180.60 and, on
implementation of rules adopted under the chapter, by Chapter 327,
Health and Safety Code.
SECTION 49. REPORT ON FEDERAL FUNDS BY LEGISLATIVE BUDGET
BOARD. (a) The Legislative Budget Board, in consultation with the
comptroller of public accounts, shall report on the board's
Internet website:
(1) for each political subdivision in this state, an
informational listing of any money appropriated by this Act and
received by the subdivision; and
(2) for each state agency and each institution of
higher education that receives money appropriated by this Act, an
informational listing of the following:
(A) the amount of money received by the agency or
institution;
(B) the federal legislation that authorized
distribution of the money to the state, agency, or institution and
the state legislation, if applicable, that appropriated the money
to the agency or institution;
(C) the amount of money spent by the agency or
institution;
(D) the allowable uses for which the agency or
institution may spend money received by the agency or institution
and the purposes for which the agency or institution has spent the
money;
(E) the amount of money received by the agency or
institution:
(i) that the agency or institution has not
spent; and
(ii) that the agency or institution may
spend without further appropriation; and
(F) the time during which money received by the
agency or institution was spent by the agency or institution,
including the remaining time in which the agency or institution may
spend the money without further appropriation.
(b) This section does not apply to a hospital licensed under
Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, or a hospital owned and
operated by this state.
(c) It is the intent of the legislature that information
required to be provided in a report on the Legislative Budget
Board's Internet website under Subsection (a) of this section must
be updated not less than once during each fiscal quarter and once on
the first day of each fiscal quarter that occurs on or after
December 1, 2021, until at least December 1, 2028.
SECTION 50. LEGISLATIVE INTENT REGARDING APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) It is the intent of the legislature that the appropriations
made by this Act:
(1) are one-time appropriations made for the purpose
of addressing the needs of this state for the two-year period
beginning on the effective date of this Act; and
(2) be used:
(A) only for purposes authorized by state and
federal law, including guidance issued by the United States
Department of the Treasury in 86 Fed. Reg. 26786 (May 17, 2021); and
(B) before all other methods of finance, if more
than one method of finance is available for the applicable purpose.
(b) Except as specifically provided otherwise by this Act,
it is the intent of the legislature that, if the United States
Department of the Treasury or any other qualified state or federal
authority determines that an appropriation made by this Act has
been made for an improper use, the appropriated money not be spent
and shall be retained in the treasury and available for later
legislative appropriation.
SECTION 51. APPROPRIATION AUTHORITY UNDER FEDERAL LAW. The
appropriations made under Sections 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
31, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 of this
Act using money received by this state from the Coronavirus State
Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) are made in
accordance with 42 U.S.C. Section 802(c)(1)(C), which allows money
from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to be used to
provide government services to the extent of a reduction in the
revenue of a state government caused by the COVID-19 public health
emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full
fiscal year of the state government that ended before that
emergency.
SECTION 52. APPLICABILITY OF TRANSFER PROVISIONS OF OTHER
LAW. The transfer provisions of Part 14, Article IX, Chapter 1053
(S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the
General Appropriations Act), and the transfer provisions of Section
65, Chapter 995 (H.B. 2), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular
Session, 2021 (the Supplemental Appropriations Act), apply to the
appropriations made by this Act to allow appropriate transfer of
appropriations made by this Act as if the appropriations made by the
General Appropriations Act, the Supplemental Appropriations Act,
and this Act were all a part of the same Act, to the extent permitted
by federal law.
SECTION 53. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 8 passed the Senate on
October 8, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0;
October 15, 2021, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
requested appointment of Conference Committee; October 15, 2021,
House granted request of the Senate; October 18, 2021, Senate
adopted Conference Committee Report by the following
vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 8 passed the House, with
amendments, on October 15, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 144,
Nays 0, one present not voting; October 15, 2021, House granted
request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
October 18, 2021, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
following vote: Yeas 125, Nays 0, one present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor