Bill Caption

Relating to legislative oversight and funding of improvement and modernization projects for state agency information resources.

Fiscal Notes

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time. The amount of federal funds cannot be estimated at this time.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

HB 4018 aims to create the technology improvement and modernization fund as special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund. 

The fund would consist of money transferred or deposited to the credit of the fund at the direction of the legislature; money received from the federal government; gifts, donations, and grants to the fund, including federal grants; and interest earned on the investment of money in the fund.

HB 4018 restricts the use of money in the fund to improving and modernizing state agency resources such as legacy system projects and cybersecurity projects. Such funds may not be used to replace money appropriated to a state agency for the purposes of operating and maintaining state agency information resources or reduce the amount of money appropriated to a state agency for those purposes.

HB 4018 would be creating the Joint Oversight Committee on Investment in Information Technology Improvement and Modernization Projects to review investment and funding strategies for projects to improve or modernize state agency information resources technologies. 

The committee has the powers of a joint committee and may obtain funding in the same manner as a joint committee.

The committee is abolished on September 1, 2026.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Creating such fund and committee to oversee such investments and funding for projects is not the proper role to address cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities related to state agencies and their technology. They should be partnering with private entities instead of receiving federal funds, grants, and the potential of additional state funds.

Texas Action opposes HB 4018.