HB2422 —

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends the Texas statutes.

• CHAPTER 19. COORDINATION OF BROADBAND INSTALLATION Sec. 19.0101. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Broadband" means a mass-market retail service by wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to and receive data from all or substantially all Internet endpoints, including capabilities that are incidental to and enable the operation of the service. The term includes a service that is functionally equivalent to the service described by this subdivision. (2) "Broadband conduit" means a conduit, pipe, innerduct, or microduct for fiber optic or other cables that supports broadband and wireless facilities for broadband. Sec. 19.0102. DUTIES. (a) In collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation and private entities, the commission shall encourage and coordinate efforts to plan, relocate, install, or improve broadband conduit in highway rights-of-way in conjunction with any current or planned highway construction. To the extent necessary, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation the commission shall: (1) evaluate engineering and design standards, procedures and criteria for contracts or lease agreements, and pricing requirements; and (2) provide for allocation of risk, costs, and any revenue generated. (b) In collaboration with any other state agency the commission considers necessary, the commission shall develop a strategy to facilitate the timely and efficient deployment of broadband conduit or other broadband facilities on state-owned land and in state-owned buildings. (c) The commission shall give special consideration to projects described by Subsection (a) or (b) that are likely to improve access to broadband by rural or underserved communities. (d) To the extent practicable, the commission shall assist political subdivisions in adopting and implementing projects similar to those in Subsections (a) and (b) for the construction or improvement of roads under the jurisdiction of political subdivisions and for broadband deployment on land or in buildings owned by political subdivisions. Sec. 19.0103. REPORT. Annually, the commission shall submit to the legislature a report that explains the actions taken by the commission in carrying out this chapter, the number of current and planned projects receiving assistance from the commission, any gains in broadband speed or access associated with the projects, and any costs or cost savings to the state, private entities, or end users of broadband services associated with the projects.

  amended