Notable Tech Funds in 2024-2025 State Budget Bill Draft

Last week, the state’s House Appropriations Committee approved an official draft of the 2024-2025 state budget, which contains significant funding for state agencies to implement technology services, data modernization and consolidation.

According to the draft, the state’s estimated budget is $302.7 billion, signaling a 1.8 percent increase compared to 2022-2023’s $297.2 billion budget.

As for how this impacts state agencies, Industry Insider — Texas shares how three specific agencies plan to use allocated funds.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION

According to the proposed budget, the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), which provides oversight and administrative support for the state’s Health and Human Services system (HHS), will have access to $311 million in 2024 and $347 million in 2025 to acquire information resource technologies.

For example, in 2024 alone, the HHSC plans to use some of these funds for the following:

• $106.6 million to modernize the state’s Medicaid Management Information System.
• $55.7 million for the Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System.
• $21.6 million for a WIC EBT online transition.
• $20 million for new PCs, laptops and servers.
• $7 million for the agency’s performance management and analytics system.

Other notable expenditures include $89.2 million for data center and shared technology services, $10.2 million for CAPPS (centralized accounting and payroll/personnel system) enterprise resource planning, and $1.5 million for HHS enterprise cybersecurity upgrades.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

According to budget documents, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will have a total capital budget of $564.2 million in 2024 and $280 million in 2025.

Regarding tech, TxDOT will have access to $83 million in 2024 and $82 million in 2025 for information resource technologies.

In 2024, the agency plans to use a portion of these funds for the following:

• $39 million for information and systems modernization.
• $27 million for technology replacements and upgrades.
• $12.4 million for enterprise information management.
• $5 million for PC replacement.
  

Other notable expenditures include $88 million to acquire capital equipment, $60 million for data center and shared technology services, and $7 million for CAPPS upgrades.

DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Lastly, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), which manages inmates in state prisons, state jails and private correctional facilities, will have a total capital budget of $113 million in 2024 and $100 million in 2025.

In terms of purchasing information resource technologies, the TDCJ will have access to $25 million in 2024 and $10 million in 2025.

In 2024, the agency plans to use a portion of these funds for the following:

• $16 million for body-worn cameras.
• $7 million for its inmate banking system.
• $1.2 million for computer and software acquisitions. 
• $100,000 for Board of Pardons and Paroles computer and software acquisitions.

Other notable expenditures include $30 million for data center and shared technology services, $2.5 million to replace operational support equipment and $2 million for industrial operations equipment replacements.