AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the passage of Senate Bill 5, Statewide Broadband Access, by Senators Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, Charles Perry, R-Lubbock and Royce West, D-Dallas:

“Expanding broadband across Texas has long been my goal and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic made expanding our broadband infrastructure even more urgent. Broadband is essential to bridge the digital divide across our state, grow our thriving economy and ensure that Texas remains the best place to live, work and raise a family. I congratulate Senators Nichols, Hancock, Perry and West for passing this critical bill.”

Senate Bill 5 creates a State Broadband Development Office through the University of Texas that will create and adopt a state broadband plan within the next year.