Morales Bill Orders An Apartment Internet Study And Nothing Else

The text as introduced · 483 words

89R1750 CS-D

By: Morales of Harris
H.B. No. 3953

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study by the broadband development office on Internet

service for multiunit residential properties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:

(1) "Broadband service" means Internet service with

the capability of providing:

(A) a speed of not less than 100 megabits per

second for a download;

(B) a speed of not less than 20 megabits per

second for an upload; and

(C) a network round-trip latency of less than or

equal to 100 milliseconds based on the 95th percentile of speed

measurements.

(2) "Multiunit residential property" means improved

real property with at least 75 dwelling units, including an

apartment building or condominium. The term does not include a

hotel, motel, single-family home, or duplex.

(3) "Office" means the broadband development office.

SECTION 2. STUDY ON BROADBAND ACCESS FOR MULTIUNIT

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. (a) The office shall conduct a study on

the availability of access to Internet service for residents of

multiunit residential properties in this state.

(b) The study must:

(1) identify areas that lack physical infrastructure

necessary for the provision of broadband service for multiunit

residential properties;

(2) compare:

(A) the number of broadband service providers

that serve multiunit residential properties in urban areas to the

number that serve single-family homes in urban areas; and

(B) average internet speeds available in urban

areas to multiunit residential properties and to single-family

homes;

(3) estimate the average cost of broadband service in

multiunit residential properties in urban areas;

(4) determine the percentage of multiunit residential

properties in urban areas that have access to Internet service

providers that are capable of providing reliable broadband service;

(5) assess Internet service downtime and consistency

of Internet speeds for multiunit residential properties;

(6) assess the availability and usage of broadband

affordability programs for multiunit residential properties in

urban areas;

(7) assess the effects for tenants of a multiunit

residential property of the property owner entering into an

exclusive contract with an Internet service provider for the entire

property, including effects on service costs;

(8) assess the effects of municipal regulations and an

absence of municipal regulations on broadband service

infrastructure deployment in areas with a high concentration of

multiunit residential properties; and

(9) where possible, include an assessment of whether

the factors described above differ in low-income areas and

higher-income areas.

SECTION 3. REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE. Not later than

December 1, 2026, the office shall submit to the governor, the

lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,

and each standing committee of the legislature with jurisdiction

over broadband service a report that includes the results of the

study and any recommendations of the office related to the study.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September

1, 2025.