88R13426 DIO-F     By: Ashby H.J.R. No. 125       A JOINT RESOLUTION   proposing a constitutional amendment creating the broadband   infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of broadband and   telecommunications services projects in the state.          BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by   adding Section 49-d-16 to read as follows:          Sec. 49-d-16.  (a) In this section:                 (1)  "Commission" means the Public Utility Commission   of Texas or its successor.                (2)  "Comptroller" means the comptroller of public   accounts of the State of Texas or its successor.                (3)  "Fund" means the broadband infrastructure fund.          (b)  The broadband infrastructure fund is created as a   special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue   fund.          (c)  As provided by general law, the fund shall be   administered by the comptroller to provide a method of financing   projects for the development of broadband and telecommunications   services, including the construction, reconstruction, and   expansion of broadband and telecommunications infrastructure or   services, the operation of broadband and telecommunications   infrastructure, and the provision of broadband and   telecommunications services, as determined by the comptroller and   the commission.          (d)  Money in the fund is dedicated by this constitution for   purposes of Section 22, Article VIII, of this constitution, and an   appropriation from the economic stabilization fund to the credit of   the fund is an appropriation of state tax revenues dedicated by this   constitution for the purposes of Section 22, Article VIII, of this   constitution.          (e)  Money deposited to the credit to the fund and   appropriations made from the fund may be used only in accordance   with this section and general laws enacted to implement this   section. Money in the fund may be used in conjunction with other   funds or financial resources, including money from the federal   government, in accordance with procedures, standards, and   limitations established by federal law and general law of this   state.          (f)  The total amount appropriated by the legislature to the   fund may not exceed $5 billion.          (g)  Unless extended by adoption of a concurrent resolution   approved by a record vote of two-thirds of the members of each house   of the legislature, this section expires on September 1, 2035. A   resolution suspends the expiration of this section until September   1 of the 10th year following the adoption of the resolution.          SECTION 2.  The following temporary provision is added to   the Texas Constitution:          TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies   to the amendment to Article III of this constitution as proposed by   the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, creating the broadband   infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of broadband and   telecommunications services projects in the state.          (b)  The change made to Article III of this constitution by   the amendment described in Subsection (a) takes effect January 1,   2024.          (c)  This temporary provision expires January 1, 2025.          SECTION 3.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be   submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023.   The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the   proposition: "The constitutional amendment creating the broadband   infrastructure fund to assist in the financing of broadband and   telecommunications services projects in the state."