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HB 1, the $302.6 billion budget bill, saw more than 300 amendments brought to the floor; some of those discussed Thursday touched on technology and digital initiatives.
Proposed Funding:
- The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) would receive $30 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to add broadband infrastructure that enables transportation technology and improves accessibility.
- A Kindergarten Readiness Grant Program would have the Texas Education Agency (TEA) distribute $7.5 million over two years for at least 5,000 families to receive in-home technology and digital learning materials to ensure student readiness.
- The Texas Medical Board (TMB) is on track to receive monies to enhance and deploy initiatives including network bandwidth and storage capabilities, enhance cybersecurity, update its website, procure e-signature software, develop web chat and web communication apps, acquire software licenses and replace hardware, among other items.
Proposed reporting:
- A rider in Article 1 would require the Department of Information Resources (DIR) to submit an annual report listing what state agencies use its shared technology program and data centers and which agencies use their own or contract with outside vendors.
- The Broadband Development Office would be required to file a Broadband Equity Report before Sept. 1, 2024, if HB 9 or similar legislation passes that creates a broadband infrastructure fund.
- The Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) would use money from their appropriations to fund and monitor aggregate mining and add the reporting to their website.
The House voted to send its version of the budget to the Senate after a 10-hour session. Next, the House and Senate bills will go to a conference committee, according to the state comptroller’s budget primer.
