TX HB2964

Allocates up to $750 million from the broadband infrastructure fund for grants, low-interest loans, and financial incentives to deploy fiber-to-the-premises broadband networks in eligible rural counties

Defines eligible counties as those with county seats having populations between 5,000 and 25,000 that were not selected for the Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas II program and have not received state or federal broadband infrastructure funding

Prioritizes projects that deploy fiber-optic networks with gigabit passive optical network technology, collaborate with local governments or private entities, or include financial or in-kind contributions from counties or private entities

Requires the broadband development office to submit annual reports to the legislature by December 31 detailing funds distributed, projects funded, addresses served, and implementation challenges

Mandates a comprehensive program review by September 1, 2030 to evaluate effectiveness in closing the rural broadband access gap, with program guidelines to be established by April 1, 2026