S.B. No. 8
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to making supplemental appropriations and giving
  direction regarding appropriations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS: UNEMPLOYMENT
  COMPENSATION FUND. The amount of $7,245,419,946 is appropriated to
  the comptroller of public accounts from money received by this
  state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
  Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
  (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
  Relief Fund No. 325 for use during the state fiscal year beginning
  September 1, 2021, for the purpose of immediately depositing that
  amount to the credit of the unemployment compensation fund under
  Section 203.021, Labor Code, to pay back outstanding advances
  received by this state under Section 1201, Social Security Act (42
  U.S.C. Section 1321), and to return the unemployment compensation
  fund to the statutory floor computed under Section 204.061, Labor
  Code, on October 1, 2021, as reimbursement for payments made as a
  result of the coronavirus disease pandemic.
         SECTION 2.  TRUSTEED PROGRAMS WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE
  GOVERNOR: TOURISM, TRAVEL, AND HOSPITALITY RECOVERY GRANTS. (a)
  The amount of $180,000,000 is appropriated to the Trusteed Programs
  within the Office of the Governor from money received by this state
  from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
  802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for grants during
  the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act for
  tourism, travel, and hospitality industry recovery, to the extent
  the grants are authorized by other law.
         (b)  It is the intent of the legislature that the governor
  give priority to potential grantees that have not received direct
  federal aid and that the amount of each authorized grant awarded
  does not exceed $20,000.
         SECTION 3.  TRUSTEED PROGRAMS WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE
  GOVERNOR: CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY. The amount of $1,200,000 is
  appropriated to the Trusteed Programs within the Office of the
  Governor from money received by this state from the Coronavirus
  State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established
  under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and
  deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for
  the purpose of providing funding for information technology case
  management system improvements for children's advocacy centers
  during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this
  Act.
         SECTION 4.  DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES: COVID-19
  SERVICES. (a) The amount of $2,000,000,000 is appropriated to the
  Department of State Health Services from money received by this
  state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
  Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
  (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
  Relief Fund No. 325 during the period beginning on the effective
  date of this Act and ending January 1, 2023, for the following
  purposes related to costs incurred during the period beginning
  March 3, 2021, and ending January 1, 2023, due to the coronavirus
  disease pandemic:
               (1)  providing funding for surge staffing at state and
  local hospitals, long-term care facilities, psychiatric hospitals,
  and nursing facilities;
               (2)  purchasing therapeutic drugs, including drugs for
  monoclonal antibody treatments; and
               (3)  providing funding for the operation of regional
  infusion centers.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Section 13.05, page IX-64, Chapter 1053
  (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the
  General Appropriations Act), the Department of State Health
  Services shall expend any Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds
  freed-up as a result of reimbursements received by the Department
  of State Health Services from the Federal Emergency Management
  Agency related to expenditures paid from money appropriated under
  Subsection (a) of this section only after prior approval of the
  Legislative Budget Board.
         SECTION 5.  FISCAL PROGRAMS - COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC
  ACCOUNTS: BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE. (a) The amount of
  $500,475,163 is appropriated to Fiscal Programs - Comptroller of
  Public Accounts from money received by this state from the
  Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 804)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for broadband
  infrastructure in accordance with Section 490I.0108, Government
  Code, and other applicable state or federal law during the two-year
  period beginning on the effective date of this Act.
         (b)  Out of money appropriated by Subsection (a) of this
  section, $75,000,000 may be used only for the Texas broadband pole
  replacement program.
         SECTION 6.  DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE: COMPENSATION.
  (a) The amount of $359,673,191 is appropriated to the Department of
  Criminal Justice from money received by this state from the
  Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing compensation for agency
  employees for the state fiscal year beginning September 1, 2021.
         (b)  The Department of Criminal Justice shall:
               (1)  in consultation with the comptroller of public
  accounts and the Legislative Budget Board, determine the proper
  allocation of benefits included in the appropriations made under
  Subsection (a) of this section; and
               (2)  identify the strategies and objectives for which
  the appropriations made under Subsection (a) of this section are
  directed.
         (c)  It is the intent of the legislature that the Department
  of Criminal Justice consider the appropriations as a change in the
  method of finance of the compensation to be paid to agency employees
  and not as an increase in total appropriations to the agency.
         SECTION 7.  DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: FOOD BANKS. The
  amount of $95,000,000 is appropriated to the Department of
  Agriculture from money received by this state from the Coronavirus
  State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established
  under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and
  deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for
  the purpose of providing supplemental funding to food banks in
  response to the coronavirus pandemic during the two-year period
  beginning on the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 8.  HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD: TEXAS
  CHILD MENTAL HEALTH CARE CONSORTIUM. (a) The amount of
  $113,082,887 is appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating
  Board from money received by this state from the Coronavirus State
  Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the
  American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited
  to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose
  of supporting the operations and expansion of the Texas Child
  Mental Health Care Consortium to expand mental health initiatives
  for children, pregnant women, and women who are up to one year
  postpartum during the two-year period beginning on the effective
  date of this Act. At the direction of the Texas Child Mental Health
  Care Consortium, the Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
  transfer appropriations through interagency contracts with
  health-related institutions of higher education for the following
  purposes:
               (1)  $20,578,442 for enhancements and expansion of the
  Child Psychiatry Access Network;
               (2)  $56,218,976 for enhancements and expansion of the
  Texas Child Access Through Telemedicine program;
               (3)  $32,991,791 for expansion of the child and
  adolescent mental health workforce; and
               (4)  $3,293,676 for administrative expenses.
         (b)  Not later than December 1, 2021, out of money
  appropriated by Subsection (a) of this section, the Higher
  Education Coordinating Board shall transfer $3,293,676 to an
  institution of higher education designated by the Texas Child
  Mental Health Care Consortium for oversight and evaluation of the
  outlined initiatives by means of interagency agreements or any
  other necessary contracts.
         (c)  The Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium may
  transfer up to 10 percent of money appropriated for the purposes
  described by Subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3) of this section to any
  of the other purposes described by those provisions. The Texas
  Child Mental Health Care Consortium may transfer more than 10
  percent of funds for those purposes only with the prior approval for
  the transfer and expenditure from the Legislative Budget Board. A
  request for approval of the transfer and expenditure by the
  consortium is considered approved unless the Legislative Budget
  Board issues a written disapproval within 10 business days of the
  receipt and review of the request by the Legislative Budget Board.
         (d)  Out of money appropriated by Subsection (a) of this
  section, the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium may enhance
  the Child Psychiatry Access Network to improve perinatal mental
  health services.
         SECTION 9.  TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: STATE
  OPERATIONS CENTER. The amount of $300,000,000 is appropriated to
  the Texas Division of Emergency Management from money received by
  this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42
  U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act
  of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the
  Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of the acquisition
  of land for, and construction of, a state operations center during
  the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 10.  HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD:
  UNIVERSITY CONSTRUCTION. (a) Contingent on legislation by the
  87th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, 2021, relating to the
  issuance of tuition revenue bonds, becoming law, the amount of
  $325,000,000 is appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating
  Board from money received by this state from the Coronavirus State
  Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the
  American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited
  to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose
  of university construction during the two-year period beginning on
  the effective date of this Act.
         (b)  If an appropriation made under Subsection (a) of this
  section for any reason is determined by the United States
  Department of the Treasury or any other qualified state or federal
  authority to have been made for an improper use:
               (1)  the appropriated money may not be spent and shall
  be retained in the treasury and available for later legislative
  appropriation; and
               (2)  an amount equal to the amount of the appropriation
  that was determined to have been made for an improper use is
  appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Higher Education
  Coordinating Board for the purpose and period described by
  Subsection (a) of this section.
         SECTION 11.  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: DALLAS
  STATE HOSPITAL. (a) The amount of $237,800,000 is appropriated to
  the Health and Human Services Commission from money received by
  this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42
  U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act
  of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the
  Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of construction of
  a state hospital in Dallas during the two-year period beginning on
  the effective date of this Act.
         (b)  The capital budget authority of the Health and Human
  Services Commission in Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the General Appropriations
  Act), is increased by $237,800,000 for the appropriation made under
  Subsection (a) of this section.
         SECTION 12.  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: RURAL
  HOSPITALS. The amount of $75,000,000 is appropriated to the Health
  and Human Services Commission from money received by this state
  from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
  802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for grants to
  support rural hospitals that have been affected by the COVID-19
  pandemic during the two-year period beginning on the effective date
  of this Act.
         SECTION 13.  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: INTERNET
  PORTAL. The amount of $20,000,000 is appropriated to the Health and
  Human Services Commission from money received by this state from
  the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for the creation
  of a consolidated Internet portal for Medicaid and the Children's
  Health Insurance Program medical services provider data during the
  two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 14.  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION:
  TECHNOLOGY UPDATES. The amount of $5,000,000 is appropriated to
  the Health and Human Services Commission from money received by
  this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42
  U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act
  of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the
  Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing
  funding for technology updates to the Medicaid eligibility computer
  system during the two-year period beginning on the effective date
  of this Act.
         SECTION 15.  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: TEXAS
  CIVIL COMMITMENT OFFICE. The amount of $14,250 is appropriated to
  the Health and Human Services Commission for the Texas Civil
  Commitment Office from money received by this state from the
  Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for COVID-19
  related expenses incurred by the Texas Civil Commitment Office
  related to consumable supplies and travel during the two-year
  period beginning on the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 16.  DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES: RIO
  GRANDE VALLEY. The amount of $16,700,000 is appropriated to the
  Department of State Health Services from money received by this
  state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
  Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
  (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
  Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of upgrading existing
  laboratory facilities associated with a level 1 trauma facility in
  Hidalgo County and new laboratory infrastructure in Starr County
  during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this
  Act.
         SECTION 17.  THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER
  AT HOUSTON: TEXAS EPIDEMIC PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE. The amount of
  $40,000,000 is appropriated to The University of Texas Health
  Science Center at Houston from money received by this state from the
  Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of operating the Texas Epidemic Public
  Health Institute during the two-year period beginning on the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 18.  HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD: TEXAS
  RESKILLING AND UPSKILLING THROUGH EDUCATION (TRUE) PROGRAM. (a)
  The amount of $15,000,000 is appropriated to the Higher Education
  Coordinating Board from money received by this state from the
  Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of operating the Texas Reskilling and
  Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program during the two-year
  period beginning on the effective date of this Act.
         (b)  The Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
  distribute the money appropriated by Subsection (a) of this section
  in a manner consistent with Subchapter T-2, Chapter 61, Education
  Code, as added by Section 1, Chapter 601 (S.B. 1102), Acts of the
  87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021. The board may not place
  additional eligibility requirements on eligible entities beyond
  the statutory limitations of Subchapter T-2, Chapter 61, Education
  Code, as added by Section 1, Chapter 601 (S.B. 1102), Acts of the
  87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, including matching fund
  requirements by recipients of money appropriated by this section.
         SECTION 19.  HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD:
  PERFORMANCE-BASED FUNDING FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS AT COMPREHENSIVE
  REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES. (a) The amount of $20,000,000 is
  appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating Board from money
  received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery
  Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue
  Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of
  the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of allocating
  and distributing the money in a manner that is consistent with
  Subsection (b) of this section and Section 62.183(b), Education
  Code, as added by Section 2, Chapter 186 (S.B. 1295), Acts of the
  87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, during the state fiscal
  year beginning September 1, 2021.
         (b)  After consultation with the Legislative Budget Board,
  the Higher Education Coordinating Board shall allocate and
  distribute the money appropriated by Subsection (a) of this section
  to each eligible institution, as defined by Section 62.181,
  Education Code, as added by Section 2, Chapter 186 (S.B. 1295), Acts
  of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, in an amount equal
  to the sum of the following:
               (1)  $250,000; and
               (2)  the product of:
                     (A)  an amount of money (estimated to be $400);
  and
                     (B)  the average number of at-risk students
  awarded a degree by the eligible institution each year during the
  three state fiscal years preceding the first year of the state
  fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2021.
         SECTION 20.  DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: HOME-DELIVERED
  MEALS. The amount of $5,000,000 is appropriated to the Department
  of Agriculture from money received by this state from the
  Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for
  home-delivered meals during the two-year period beginning on the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 21.  GENERAL LAND OFFICE AND VETERANS LAND BOARD:
  TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOMES. The amount of $35,000,000 is
  appropriated to the General Land Office and the Veterans Land Board
  from money received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal
  Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the
  American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited
  to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose
  of providing funding for HVAC upgrades, negative pressure COVID-19
  wards, and mobile HEPA air filtration units for Texas state
  veterans homes during the two-year period beginning on the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 22.  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: SUNRISE
  CANYON HOSPITAL. The amount of $15,000,000 is appropriated to the
  Health and Human Services Commission from money received by this
  state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
  Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
  (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
  Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding during the
  two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act for the
  expansion of capacity of Sunrise Canyon Hospital.
         SECTION 23.  HISTORICAL COMMISSION:
  WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS CAPITAL PLAN PROJECT. The amount of
  $20,000,000 is appropriated to the Historical Commission from money
  received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery
  Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue
  Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of
  the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing
  funding during the two-year period beginning on the effective date
  of this Act for the purposes of the commission's capital plan
  project for the Washington-on-the-Brazos state historic site.
         SECTION 24.  TRUSTEED PROGRAMS WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE
  GOVERNOR: VICTIMS OF CRIME. (a) The amount of $160,000,000 is
  appropriated to the Trusteed Programs within the Office of the
  Governor from money received by this state from the Coronavirus
  State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established
  under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and
  deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for
  the purpose of providing funding for grants for victims of crime
  during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this
  Act.
         (b)  It is the intent of the legislature that grants made for
  victims of crime during the state fiscal year beginning September
  1, 2021, and the state fiscal year beginning September 1, 2022,
  equal grants made for victims of crime during the state fiscal year
  beginning September 1, 2020.
         SECTION 25.  DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION RESOURCES:
  CYBERSECURITY PROJECTS. (a) The amount of $200,000,000 is
  appropriated to the Department of Information Resources for deposit
  into the Technology Improvement and Modernization Fund No. 187 and
  for use during the two-year period beginning on the effective date
  of this Act for the purpose of cybersecurity projects from money
  received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery
  Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue
  Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of
  the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325. Before spending money
  appropriated under this subsection, the department must receive
  approval for the proposed cybersecurity projects from the Joint
  Oversight Committee on Investment in Information Technology
  Improvement and Modernization Projects established under Section
  2054.578, Government Code.
         (b)  The capital budget authority of the Department of
  Information Resources in Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the General Appropriations
  Act), is increased by $200,000,000 for the appropriation made under
  Subsection (a) of this section.
         SECTION 26.  TEXAS FACILITIES COMMISSION: PERMIAN BASIN
  BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER. (a) The amount of $40,000,000 is
  appropriated to the Texas Facilities Commission from money received
  by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42
  U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act
  of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the
  Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of constructing a
  100-bed comprehensive behavioral health center to serve the Permian
  Basin region during the two-year period beginning on the effective
  date of this Act.
         (b)  Upon completion of the construction described by
  Subsection (a) of this section, ownership of the building shall
  transfer to the Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center controlled
  by the Ector County Hospital District and the Midland County
  Hospital District.
         (c)  The appropriation under Subsection (a) of this section
  is contingent on the completion of a signed agreement between the
  Texas Facilities Commission and the Ector County Hospital District
  and the Midland County Hospital District guaranteeing the ongoing
  operations of the comprehensive behavioral health center described
  by Subsection (a) of this section by the Permian Basin Behavioral
  Health Center to ensure the continuing benefit to the residents of
  this state.
         SECTION 27.  OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: SEXUAL ASSAULT
  PROGRAM ACCOUNT. The amount of $52,277,114 is appropriated to the
  Office of the Attorney General for deposit into the Sexual Assault
  Program Account No. 5010 and for use by the office as authorized by
  other law during the two-year period beginning on the effective
  date of this Act from money received by this state from the
  Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325.
         SECTION 28.  OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: CRIME VICTIMS
  COMPENSATION. The amount of $54,756,000 is appropriated to the
  Office of the Attorney General for deposit into the Compensation to
  Victims of Crime Account No. 469 and for use by the office during
  the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act for
  the purpose of compensating crime victims from money received by
  this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42
  U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act
  of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the
  Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325.
         SECTION 29.  APPROPRIATIONS FOR SHORTFALL IN COURT FEES.
  (a) To address matters related to shortfalls in court fee
  collections, the following amounts are appropriated to the
  following entities from money received by this state from the
  Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the indicated purposes for the two-year period
  beginning on the effective date of this Act:
               (1)  Comptroller of Public Accounts, Judiciary
  Section: $7,000,000 for the purpose of addressing the backlog in
  court cases, including to pay for visiting judges and support
  staff;
               (2)  Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial
  Council:
                     (A)  $3,000,000 for the purpose of addressing the
  backlog in court cases, including information technology support;
  and
                     (B)  for Strategy D.1.1., Texas Indigent Defense
  Commission, as listed in Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the General Appropriations
  Act), $13,942,466 for deposit into the Fair Defense Account
  No. 5073 and for use by the office for the purpose of addressing the
  backlog in court cases, as authorized by other law;
               (3)  Office of Capital and Forensic Writs: $200,000 for
  the purpose of addressing the backlog in court cases and paying
  costs related to the coronavirus disease pandemic; and
               (4)  Texas Commission on Law Enforcement: $5,800,000
  for deposit into the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Account
  No. 116 and for use by the commission as authorized by other law.
         (b)  During the two-year period beginning on the effective
  date of this Act, in addition to the number of full-time equivalent
  (FTE) employees other law authorizes the office to employ during
  that period, the Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial
  Council may employ out of money appropriated by Subsection
  (a)(2)(A) of this section eight full-time equivalent (FTE)
  employees.
         (c)  During the two-year period beginning on the effective
  date of this Act, in addition to the number of full-time equivalent
  (FTE) employees other law authorizes the office to employ during
  that period, the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs may employ out
  of money appropriated by Subsection (a)(3) of this section one
  full-time equivalent (FTE) employee.
         (d)  The capital budget authority of the Office of Court
  Administration, Texas Judicial Council, in Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1),
  Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the General
  Appropriations Act), is increased by $1,330,680 for the
  appropriation made under Subsection (a)(2)(A) of this section.
         SECTION 30.  COMMISSION ON STATE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS:
  NEXT GENERATION 9-1-1 SERVICE FUND. (a) The amount of $150,000,000
  is appropriated to the Commission on State Emergency Communications
  for deposit into the Next Generation 9-1-1 Service Fund No. 0195
  and for use by the commission as authorized by other law for the
  deployment and reliable operation of next generation 9-1-1 service,
  including equipment and administration costs, during the two-year
  period beginning on the effective date of this Act from money
  received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery
  Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue
  Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of
  the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325.
         (b)  In accordance with Section 771.0713(f), Health and
  Safety Code, it is the intent of the legislature that all money
  appropriated under Subsection (a) of this section be distributed
  not later than December 31, 2022, and all money distributed under
  this subsection be spent not later than December 31, 2024, for the
  purpose described by Subsection (a) of this section.
         SECTION 31.  DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: PRESIDIO CUSTOMS
  INSPECTION STATION. The amount of $15,500,000 is appropriated to
  the Department of Transportation from money received by this state
  from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
  802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for a customs
  inspection station on the South Orient Rail Line in Presidio,
  Texas, during the two-year period beginning on the effective date
  of this Act.
         SECTION 32.  TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM: TRS-CARE AND
  TRS-ACTIVECARE. (a) The amount of $286,337,761 is appropriated to
  the Teacher Retirement System from money received by this state
  from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
  802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding during the
  two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act for
  coronavirus-related claims in TRS-Care and TRS-ActiveCare.
         (b)  It is the intent of the legislature that premiums for
  TRS-Care and TRS-ActiveCare insurance policies not increase as a
  result of coronavirus-related claims.
         (c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b) of this section, it is
  the intent of the legislature that the premiums for TRS-Care and
  TRS-ActiveCare programs be calculated and adjusted taking into
  consideration the money appropriated under this section.
         SECTION 33.  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: STAFFING
  NEEDS. (a) The amount of $378,300,000 is appropriated to the
  Health and Human Services Commission from money received by this
  state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
  Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
  (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
  Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding during the
  two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act for the
  Health and Human Services Commission to administer one-time grants
  related to providing critical staffing needs resulting from
  frontline health care workers affected by COVID-19, including
  recruitment and retention bonuses for staff:
               (1)  of nursing facilities, assisted living
  facilities, home health agencies, and facilities that serve persons
  with intellectual or developmental disabilities in an intermediate
  care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities or
  related conditions (ICF/IID); or
               (2)  who provide community attendant services.
         (b)  It is the intent of the legislature that the Health and
  Human Services Commission prioritize grants to grantees that comply
  with the reporting requirements prescribed by Rider 143 (Health and
  Human Services Commission), Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the General Appropriations
  Act), the reporting requirements established by Chapter 588 (S.B.
  809), Acts of the 87th Legislature, 2021, or equivalent reporting
  requirements established by the Health and Human Services
  Commission.
         (c)  Annually, the Health and Human Services Commission
  shall report to the Legislative Budget Board the grants awarded
  under this section. The report must include, for the year covered
  by the report, the amount of grants awarded, the award recipients,
  and the total amount of each grant used by the recipient. The
  report must be submitted to the Legislative Budget Board not later
  than December 1 of the year in which the report is due.
         (d)  Of the amount appropriated under Subsection (a) of this
  section:
               (1)  $200,000,000 shall be used only for grants for
  nursing facilities; and
               (2)  $178,300,000 shall be used only for grants for
  assisted living facilities, home health agencies, community
  attendants, and facilities that serve persons with intellectual or
  developmental disabilities in an intermediate care facility for
  individuals with intellectual disabilities or related conditions
  (ICF/IID).
         (e)  It is the intent of the legislature that the Health and
  Human Services Commission consider federal COVID-19 relief money
  received by providers when allocating the money described by
  Subsection (d)(2) of this section.
         SECTION 34.  DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES: FEDERALLY
  QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER INCUBATOR PROGRAM. The amount of
  $20,000,000 is appropriated to the Department of State Health
  Services from money received by this state from the Coronavirus
  State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established
  under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and
  deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for
  use during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of
  this Act for the Federally Qualified Health Center Incubator
  Program.
         SECTION 35.  DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES: EMERGENCY
  MEDICAL SERVICES. (a) The amount of $21,700,000 is appropriated to
  the Department of State Health Services from money received by this
  state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
  Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
  (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
  Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding for
  emergency medical response service staffing, including:
               (1)  funding for programs to incentivize and increase
  the number of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics
  that provide care on an ambulance, including funding for emergency
  medical services workforce development initiatives at regional
  advisory councils; and
               (2)  funding for Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
  education programs, including distance learning programs, to
  increase the number of EMTs and paramedics graduating from EMS
  education programs.
         (b)  It is the intent of the legislature that, consistent
  with state law, the Department of State Health Services prioritize
  funding appropriated under Subsection (a) of this section for rural
  and underserved areas.
         SECTION 36.  PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT: EDUCATION AND
  OUTREACH GRANTS. The amount of $40,000,000 is appropriated to the
  Parks and Wildlife Department from money received by this state
  from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
  802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 to be used during the two-year period beginning on the
  effective date of this Act for the purpose of providing funding for
  grants throughout this state as authorized by other law and
  consistent with Strategy C.2.1., Outreach and Education, as listed
  in Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2021 (the General Appropriations Act).
         SECTION 37.  GENERAL LAND OFFICE: BRAZORIA COUNTY BEACH AND
  DUNE MAINTENANCE. The amount of $5,000,000 is appropriated to the
  General Land Office for the two-year period beginning on the
  effective date of this Act from money received by this state from
  the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for use by the office to maintain with Brazoria County
  approximately 4,600 feet of beach and dunes along the Bluewater
  Highway and Beach Access Road Five.
         SECTION 38.  GENERAL LAND OFFICE: ANALYSIS OF COASTAL TEXAS
  STUDY DESIGN ELEMENTS. The amount of $300,000 is appropriated to
  the General Land Office from money received by this state from the
  Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 to be used during the two-year period beginning on the
  effective date of this Act for the purpose of providing funding for
  a cost and component analysis of the Coastal Texas Study design
  elements to be conducted by the Gulf Coast Protection District
  under an agreement between the office and the district.
         SECTION 39.  TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY: INSTITUTE FOR A DISASTER
  RESILIENT TEXAS. (a) The amount of $1,150,000 is appropriated to
  Texas A&M University - Galveston from money received by this state
  from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
  802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding to the Institute
  for a Disaster Resilient Texas.
         (b)  Out of amounts appropriated by Subsection (a) of this
  section:
               (1)  $1,000,000 may be used only for Digital Flood Risk
  Infrastructure for Underserved Communities; and
               (2)  $150,000 may be used only for office space in
  Houston.
         SECTION 40.  TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY AND UNIVERSITY OF
  HOUSTON: INSTITUTIONAL ENHANCEMENTS. The amount of $100,000,000
  is appropriated from money received by this state from the
  Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for institutional enhancement during the two-year
  period beginning on the effective date of this Act to the following
  entities and in the following amounts:
               (1)  $50,000,000 to Texas Tech University; and
               (2)  $50,000,000 to the University of Houston.
         SECTION 41.  COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS: TEXAS SAFE
  KEEPING TRUST FUND. (a) The amount of $100,000,000 is appropriated
  to the comptroller of public accounts from money received by this
  state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C.
  Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
  (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus
  Relief Fund No. 325 for immediate deposit to an account or fund to
  be managed by the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company as
  trustee for the benefit of the State Preservation Board to maintain
  the Bob Bullock State History Museum.
         (b)  If an appropriation made under Subsection (a) of this
  section for any reason is determined by the United States
  Department of the Treasury or any other qualified state or federal
  authority to have been made for an improper use:
               (1)  the appropriated money may not be spent and shall
  be retained in the treasury and available for later legislative
  appropriation; and
               (2)  an amount equal to the amount of the appropriation
  that was determined to have been made for an improper use is
  appropriated from the general revenue fund to the comptroller of
  public accounts for the purpose described by Subsection (a) of this
  section.
         SECTION 42.  PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT: TEXAS STATE
  AQUARIUM CENTER. The amount of $3,000,000 is appropriated to the
  Parks and Wildlife Department from money received by this state
  from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section
  802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing funding to the Texas State
  Aquarium Center for wildlife research during the two-year period
  beginning on the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 43.  UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN: MARINE SCIENCE
  INSTITUTE HOUSING REPLACEMENT. The amount of $3,000,000 is
  appropriated to the University of Texas at Austin from money
  received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery
  Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue
  Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of
  the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing
  funding for the Marine Science Institute student housing
  replacement for the two-year period beginning on the effective date
  of this Act.
         SECTION 44.  TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY: PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS.
  The amount of $3,000,000 is appropriated to the Texas Education
  Agency from money received by this state from the Coronavirus State
  Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the
  American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited
  to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose
  of providing funding for the big brothers and big sisters program
  technological staff enhancements for the two-year period beginning
  on the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 45.  UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN: BRISCOE GARNER
  MUSEUM. The amount of $235,000 is appropriated to the University of
  Texas at Austin from money received by this state from the
  Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802)
  established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L.
  No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief
  Fund No. 325 to the University of Texas at Austin for the Briscoe
  Garner Museum for the two-year period beginning on the effective
  date of this Act.
         SECTION 46.  HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD: RURAL
  VETERINARIANS GRANT PROGRAM. The amount of $1,000,000 is
  appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating Board from money
  received by this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery
  Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue
  Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of
  the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of providing
  funding for the rural veterinarians grant program for the two-year
  period beginning on the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 47.  STATE PRESERVATION BOARD: MAINTENANCE AND
  CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. (a) The amount of $25,000,000 is
  appropriated to the State Preservation Board from money received by
  this state from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (42
  U.S.C. Section 802) established under the American Rescue Plan Act
  of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited to the credit of the
  Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 for the purpose of maintenance and
  capital improvement projects during the state fiscal biennium
  beginning September 1, 2021.
         (b)  The capital budget authority of the State Preservation
  Board in Chapter 1053 (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2021 (the General Appropriations Act), is
  increased by $25,000,000 for the appropriation made under
  Subsection (a) of this section.
         SECTION 48.  DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES AND HEALTH
  AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION: FEDERAL FUNDS FOR HOSPITALS. It is
  the intent of the Legislature that the Department of State Health
  Services and the Health and Human Services Commission, in
  distributing any money received from the Coronavirus State Fiscal
  Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the
  American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) and deposited
  to the credit of the Coronavirus Relief Fund No. 325 distribute the
  money appropriated by this Act to entities that are subject to the
  hospital price transparency public disclosure requirements
  required by 45 C.F.R. Sections 180.10 - 180.60 and, on
  implementation of rules adopted under the chapter, by Chapter 327,
  Health and Safety Code.
         SECTION 49.  REPORT ON FEDERAL FUNDS BY LEGISLATIVE BUDGET
  BOARD. (a) The Legislative Budget Board, in consultation with the
  comptroller of public accounts, shall report on the board's
  Internet website:
               (1)  for each political subdivision in this state, an
  informational listing of any money appropriated by this Act and
  received by the subdivision; and
               (2)  for each state agency and each institution of
  higher education that receives money appropriated by this Act, an
  informational listing of the following:
                     (A)  the amount of money received by the agency or
  institution;
                     (B)  the federal legislation that authorized
  distribution of the money to the state, agency, or institution and
  the state legislation, if applicable, that appropriated the money
  to the agency or institution;
                     (C)  the amount of money spent by the agency or
  institution;
                     (D)  the allowable uses for which the agency or
  institution may spend money received by the agency or institution
  and the purposes for which the agency or institution has spent the
  money;
                     (E)  the amount of money received by the agency or
  institution:
                           (i)  that the agency or institution has not
  spent; and
                           (ii)  that the agency or institution may
  spend without further appropriation; and
                     (F)  the time during which money received by the
  agency or institution was spent by the agency or institution,
  including the remaining time in which the agency or institution may
  spend the money without further appropriation.
         (b)  This section does not apply to a hospital licensed under
  Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, or a hospital owned and
  operated by this state.
         (c)  It is the intent of the legislature that information
  required to be provided in a report on the Legislative Budget
  Board's Internet website under Subsection (a) of this section must
  be updated not less than once during each fiscal quarter and once on
  the first day of each fiscal quarter that occurs on or after
  December 1, 2021, until at least December 1, 2028.
         SECTION 50.  LEGISLATIVE INTENT REGARDING APPROPRIATIONS.
  (a) It is the intent of the legislature that the appropriations
  made by this Act:
               (1)  are one-time appropriations made for the purpose
  of addressing the needs of this state for the two-year period
  beginning on the effective date of this Act; and
               (2)  be used:
                     (A)  only for purposes authorized by state and
  federal law, including guidance issued by the United States
  Department of the Treasury in 86 Fed. Reg. 26786 (May 17, 2021); and
                     (B)  before all other methods of finance, if more
  than one method of finance is available for the applicable purpose.
         (b)  Except as specifically provided otherwise by this Act,
  it is the intent of the legislature that, if the United States
  Department of the Treasury or any other qualified state or federal
  authority determines that an appropriation made by this Act has
  been made for an improper use, the appropriated money not be spent
  and shall be retained in the treasury and available for later
  legislative appropriation.
         SECTION 51.  APPROPRIATION AUTHORITY UNDER FEDERAL LAW. The
  appropriations made under Sections 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
  14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
  31, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 of this
  Act using money received by this state from the Coronavirus State
  Fiscal Recovery Fund (42 U.S.C. Section 802) established under the
  American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) are made in
  accordance with 42 U.S.C. Section 802(c)(1)(C), which allows money
  from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to be used to
  provide government services to the extent of a reduction in the
  revenue of a state government caused by the COVID-19 public health
  emergency relative to revenues collected in the most recent full
  fiscal year of the state government that ended before that
  emergency.
         SECTION 52.  APPLICABILITY OF TRANSFER PROVISIONS OF OTHER
  LAW. The transfer provisions of Part 14, Article IX, Chapter 1053
  (S.B. 1), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021 (the
  General Appropriations Act), and the transfer provisions of Section
  65, Chapter 995 (H.B. 2), Acts of the 87th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2021 (the Supplemental Appropriations Act), apply to the
  appropriations made by this Act to allow appropriate transfer of
  appropriations made by this Act as if the appropriations made by the
  General Appropriations Act, the Supplemental Appropriations Act,
  and this Act were all a part of the same Act, to the extent permitted
  by federal law.
         SECTION 53.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
  immediately.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 8 passed the Senate on
  October 8, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0;
  October 15, 2021, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
  requested appointment of Conference Committee; October 15, 2021,
  House granted request of the Senate; October 18, 2021, Senate
  adopted Conference Committee Report by the following
  vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 8 passed the House, with
  amendments, on October 15, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 144,
  Nays 0, one present not voting; October 15, 2021, House granted
  request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
  October 18, 2021, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
  following vote:  Yeas 125, Nays 0, one present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
             Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor