Texas lawmakers propose historic investments to broadband and water infrastructure — but voters will have the last word

Texas lawmakers want voters to decide whether the state will spend billions of dollars in broadband and water infrastructure development with two House priority bills filed Monday calling for the historic investments.

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan revealed House Bill 9 and House Bill 10, which seek to create the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund and the Texas Water Fund, respectively.

HB 9, filed by state Rep. Trent Ashby, would create the fund for $5 billion, to be administered by the Texas Comptroller’s office. The money would be used to bolster the Texas Broadband Development Office’s efforts to expand internet availability in the state, among other uses, and would be the biggest state investment in broadband development to date.