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What to Know:
- Sunset staff cited delayed, scaled-back and prematurely deployed systems.
- Recommended changes include a two-year IT modernization plan, revised procurement framework, program-led launch criteria and a unified data model.
- The report also flags technology-related needs in multiple areas.
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What to Know:
- The Public Utility Commission has approved a new ERCOT process to sort through more than 438,000 megawatts of large-load interconnection requests.
- Projects will face higher requirements as ERCOT works to identify legitimate demand and determine where transmission upgrades may be needed.
- ERCOT will notify developers in the first study group, known as batch zero, in August.
What to Know:
- The chief technology officer will oversee more than 130 employees, six direct reports and a technology budget exceeding $60 million.
- The deputy CIO for customer engagement will lead business relationship management, service portfolio management and the Project/Program Management Office.
- Both positions are based at the city's Grove Campus, with first review of applications beginning July 20.
What to Know:
- The governor’s website is intended to serve as Texas’ central online source for New World screwworm information.
- The portal brings together state and federal resources, including identification guidance, sample collection procedures, case dashboards and zone maps.
- A separate Texas Department of Agriculture map adds detection and reporting functions.
What to Know:
- TPWD has not publicly named the vendor involved, though public contract records and Gordon-Darby’s website identify the company as tied to the agency’s license sales system.
- The agency says Social Security numbers, dates of birth and financial information were not obtained.
- TPWD has already moved boat registration services onto TxT, but hunting and fishing license sales remain on Texas License Connection.
What to Know:
- The commission expects to go live with the redesigned Provider Enrollment and Management System in August 2027.
- HHSC is using real-time prompts, flags and automation to help eligibility workers reduce common SNAP payment errors, including income-calculation errors.
- The agency has deployed an AI-supported policy guidance tool for eligibility workers.
What to Know:
- Holmes brings more than 25 years of private-sector cybersecurity leadership experience across incident response, threat intelligence, AI and cyber resilience.
- His new role focuses on cybersecurity, AI-enabled operations, breach response workflows and public-private collaboration.
- The Texas Office of the Attorney General role is his first in the public sector.
What to Know:
- Public UT System organizational charts and leadership directories currently identify William Huang as deputy chief information officer.
- The position helps oversee Applications, Client Services and Infrastructure teams and supports IT strategy, governance and service delivery.
- The role requires a bachelor’s degree and seven years of IT or comparable leadership experience in similar multi-institutional entities.
What to Know:
- The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services plans to modernize case management, statewide intake and contract tracking.
- AI, cybersecurity and operational continuity are listed as technology priorities.
- Data sharing and performance monitoring are tied to Community-Based Care expansion.
Industry Insider — Texas will not publish a newsletter Friday in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. The newsletter will resume Monday morning.
What to Know:
- The city currently lists Christie Acosta as interim director of information technology.
- Mike Searight was identified as CIO in public materials as recently as April 2026.
- The city is working with Strategic Government Resources to conduct the search, which closes July 12.
What to Know:
- The Kerr County flooding response showed how quickly communications, geospatial awareness and data-sharing tools become operational necessities during large emergencies.
- DPS leaders emphasized scalable pilots, proof-of-technology projects and use cases that can deliver mission value before broader deployment.
- The agency is looking for technology partners that understand public safety operations, bring tested ideas and can help turn fragmented information into actionable insight.
What to Know:
- PUCT and ERCOT must submit a joint memo by July 17 outlining actions taken under existing authority, statutory limits and recommended legislation.
- PUCT must begin action by July 31 to reduce residential transmission costs.
- Abbott’s proposed legislative priorities include water-efficient cooling, annual electricity and water reporting, changes to data center incentives and community protections such as setbacks and noise-reduction technology.
What to Know:
- Daxbot and Kimley-Horn will collect accessibility data beginning June 10 to support Tyler’s ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan.
- The assessment will cover about 94.5 miles of sidewalks and trails, associated curb ramps, 122 signalized intersections and 59 transit stops.
- Six to eight robots will operate during daylight hours seven days a week, with field collection expected to take about four weeks.
What to Know:
- DIR launched 37 ready-to-use components for agency websites and portals.
- The system supports House Bill 5195 modernization requirements.
- The effort builds on templates, training and accessibility resources already in use.
What to Know:
- The library detected unusual network activity May 14 and later confirmed a ransomware attack.
- Krum said the incident was limited to the library environment and did not affect the city’s broader network or other city operations.
- Forensic investigators found that some library network files were accessed without authorization, but the city said Social Security numbers and personal financial account information were not affected.
What to Know:
- The role reports to the chief technology officer and sits within HHSC’s AI Office.
- Responsibilities include coordinating modernization projects, platform enablement efforts and cross-organizational technology delivery.
- Applicants need seven years of experience leading or managing complex technology or modernization initiatives.
What to Know:
- Texas agencies should expect a leaner budget cycle, with technology requests facing more scrutiny around cost, timing and business justification.
- Cybersecurity and legacy modernization projects will need clear risk narratives, agency alignment and defensible pricing to compete for funding.
- Vendors at the Texas Digital Government Summit were urged to work through agency leadership, avoid disconnected capitol advocacy and be cautious in how they frame AI savings.
What to Know:
- DIR’s new PASS program gives state agencies hands-on procurement planning support before technology solicitations go to market.
- Agencies remain responsible for issuing solicitations, making award decisions and managing resulting contracts.
- Vendors may see more developed scopes, cost estimates and evaluation criteria from agencies that use DIR’s support.
The Best of Texas Awards highlight public-sector technology work across Texas agencies, with this year’s honorees representing child and family services, workforce services, public safety, parks and wildlife, retirement administration and agriculture.
What to Know:
- STS customers using AWS through the PCM program will receive 21 percent discounts in year 1 and 22 percent discounts in years 2 through 4.
- The updated model eliminates previous procurement sourcing fees for Cooperative Contract and open-market purchases.
- Public contract records list the NTT DATA Americas agreement through Aug. 31, 2030, with an expiration date of Aug. 31, 2034.
The former state CIO and current Texas insurance commissioner was recognized for 27 years of public service, including her leadership of statewide technology, cybersecurity and digital government initiatives.
Contributed Content
When commercial networks flood, first responders can't afford lag. Verizon Frontline 5G Network Slicing guarantees secure, prioritized bandwidth when seconds count.
Cloud has become the backbone of public sector modernization. What began as a cost and infrastructure play has evolved into a strategic enabler of digital services, resilience and innovation. More than a decade of adoption has also helped organizations develop the experience and operational maturity needed to manage cloud environments with increasing confidence.
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