Sec. 403.603. BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE FUND. (a) The broadband infrastructure fund is a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund. The fund consists of:

(1) money transferred or deposited to the credit of the fund by the constitution, general law, or the General Appropriations Act;

(2) revenue that the legislature by general law dedicates for deposit to the credit of the fund;

(3) investment earnings and interest earned on money in the fund; and

(4) gifts, grants, and donations to the fund.

(b) The fund shall be administered by the comptroller who may use money from the fund for any purpose authorized by Subsection (c).

(c) The fund may be used only for:

(1) a purpose described by Chapter 490I;

(2) providing funding for 9-1-1 and next generation 9-1-1 services under Chapter 771, Health and Safety Code;

(3) supporting the deployment of next generation 9-1-1 service, including its costs of equipment, operations, and administration, as provided by Section 771.0713, Health and Safety Code;

(4) supporting the Texas Broadband Pole Replacement Program established under Section 403.503, as added by Chapter 659 (H.B. 1505), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021;

(5) providing matching funds for federal money provided for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program;

(6) expanding access to broadband service in economically distressed communities to support increased connectivity needs in those areas; and

(7) administering and enforcing this subchapter.

(d) For the purposes of Subsection (c)(5), the comptroller:

(1) shall consider an applicant's potential contribution toward matching the funds for federal money provided for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program; and

(2) may only provide state matching funds if a state contribution is necessary for the economic feasibility of a proposed project.

Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 379 (H.B. 9), Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2024.