(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when
used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) Commission--The Commission on State Emergency Communications.
(2) Comptroller--The Comptroller of Public Accounts
for the State of Texas.
(3) Coronavirus funds--Coronavirus State and Local
Fiscal Recovery Funds under American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub.
L. No. 117-2), §9901.
(4) Emergency communication district--Has the meaning
assigned by Health and Safety Code, §771.001(3).
(5) Fund--The Next Generation 9-1-1 Service Fund established
under Health and Safety Code, §771.0713.
(6) Next generation 9-1-1 service--Has the meaning
assigned by 47 U.S.C. §942.
(b) Transfer of money to the fund.
(1) Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided
by federal law, the comptroller shall transfer to the credit of the
fund as authorized by the legislature any amount available from federal
money provided to this state from the Coronavirus funds or from any
other state or federal governmental source for purposes of Health
and Safety Code, Chapter 771, including money appropriated or otherwise
credited to the fund.
(2) The comptroller shall transfer the money as soon
as practicable following:
(A) the receipt by this state of a sufficient amount
of federal money for the transfer; or
(B) the effective date of the most recent legislative
appropriation for purposes of Health and Safety Code, Chapter 771.
(c) Administration, distribution, and use.
(1) The commission shall administer the fund.
(2) The commission shall distribute all money deposited
to the credit of the fund from the Coronavirus funds, including any
interest earned on money deposited to the credit of the fund from
the Coronavirus funds, by August 31, 2024. This paragraph does not
apply to the distribution of money deposited to the credit of the
fund from any other state or federal governmental source for purposes
of Health and Safety Code, Chapter 771, including money appropriated
or otherwise credited to the fund.
(3) Money deposited to the credit of the fund:
(A) may be used only for the purpose of supporting
the deployment and reliable operation of next generation 9-1-1 service,
including the costs of equipment, operations, and administration;
(B) may be distributed to only the commission and emergency
communication districts as provided in Health and Safety Code, §771.0713(c),
(c-1), (c-2), and (c-3); and
(C) must be used in a manner that complies with state
and federal law, including the requirements of Health and Safety Code, §771.0713.
(4) All money distributed under paragraph (2) of this
subsection must be spent by December 31, 2026.
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