90th Legislature
What to Know:
- Shared cyber protection is the largest exceptional item.
- The AI and quantum request includes funding for AI model access, statewide AI system security and cryptographic discovery.
- The workforce item would add 120 full-time equivalent positions if fully funded.
A year after Texas Cyber Command was created through legislation, the agency has operationalized most of its core structure. Recently the agency's chief, TJ White, testified to the state Legislature about that progress and some of its plans — including possible procurements.
What to Know:
- TDA’s 2028-29 LAR includes about $2 million for consolidation and modernization of legacy systems.
- The agency is requesting about $763,000 for computer equipment and software across the biennium.
- TDA is not requesting data center services funding for 2028-29, saying it has been unable to enter into a contract with DIR.
What to Know:
- The largest technology items are DIR Shared Technology Services, information resources normal growth and CAPPS/PeopleSoft maintenance.
- A separate cybersecurity operations item would continue existing products, services and two cybersecurity positions.
- TDHCA does not request exceptional item funding for 2028-29; its technology-related funding is in the capital budget and informational cybersecurity schedules.
What to Know:
- Texas A&M’s top exceptional item is a $38 million request for a statewide quantum technology initiative.
- The project includes an IT component and would fund the first on-premises hybrid quantum-classical computing platform in Texas.
- The university also requests debt-service support for a $125 million public service building with technology-enabled classrooms, national security spaces and satellite imagery systems.
What to Know:
- CSEC’s LAR includes about $10 million in general revenue exceptional-item funding tied to emergency communications technology.
- The administrator’s statement identifies computer-aided dispatch and emergency notification systems as the two funding areas.
- The LAR also includes about $1.2 million in baseline data center services funding for the biennium.
What to Know:
- Broadband lawmakers will examine state and federal funding awards, pole attachment fees and potential obstacles to expanding service on Aug. 18.
- State Affairs will focus Aug. 19 on data center growth, regulation, workforce needs and Senate Bill 6.
- The DOGE Committee will review Texas Cyber Command implementation and Department of Information Resources oversight.
What to Know:
- The request includes $35 million for computing infrastructure, $22.8 million for research and $13.2 million for academic programs.
- Texas Tech plans to build on its NVIDIA GB300 environment with next-generation Vera Rubin architecture.
- The university wants at least 5,000 students annually participating in computational micro-credential and upskilling programs.
What to Know:
- Civix is making summer changes aimed at improving system speed, reporting and data indexing.
- The state spent about $660,000 onboarding 11 counties after VOTEC encountered financial problems.
- The Secretary of State’s Office is considering outside consultants to evaluate the system as a whole.
What to Know:
- The audit will examine how the Broadband Development Office evaluated applications, changed payment terms and documented award decisions.
- Lawmakers questioned whether some satellite and middle-mile projects received favorable treatment despite competing proposals or existing service.
- Providers called for clearer scoring, stronger mapping, better challenge procedures and more explanation when applications are rejected.
What to Know:
- Lawmakers discussed mandatory reporting on electricity, water and project benefits as a condition of receiving the exemption.
- Witnesses urged the state to give host communities more control over local tax incentives, infrastructure demands and land-use impacts.
- The committee took no vote, leaving repeal, restructuring and other safeguards for possible consideration next session.
What to Know:
- TIDC’s proposal identifies possible tools for legal research, drafting, discovery review, trial preparation, case management and client administration.
- The technology component is part of a broader $64.1 million proposal to stabilize and modernize public defense systems.
- The posted document lists conflicting cost figures for the technology component, so the final request amount remains unclear.
