SB 8 Allocates Nearly $16B From Federal American Rescue Plan Act

Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed Senate Bill 8 into law, allocating the nearly $16 billion federal American Rescue Plan Act funding awarded to the state earlier this year. SB 8 allocates critical funding for various state resources and programs.

• $7.2 billion to the unemployment compensation fund to pay back outstanding advances and bring the balance of the fund to the statutory floor
• $500.475 million for broadband infrastructure
• $150 million for the deployment and reliable operations of next generation 911 service including equipment and administration costs
• $180 million for tourism, travel and the hospitality industry recovery (for those who have not received federal aid)
• $160 million to address the federal Victims of Crime Act shortfall affecting crime victims’ assistance grants
• $2 billion for state and local hospital surge staffing, antibody therapeutic drugs, and the operation of regional antibody infusion centers
• $378.3 million for critical staffing needs of frontline workers including recruitment and retention bonuses for nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, home health facilities, community attendants, and emergency medical services providers
• $75 million to support rural hospitals that have been affected by COVID-19
• $113 million to support the operations and expansion of mental health services for Texas children and families
• $35 million to upgrade all nine Texas State Veteran Homes, along with negative pressure COVID-19 wards, and mobile high-efficiency particulate air filtration units for the veteran homes
• $95 million for supplemental funding to food banks in response to COVID-19

“Senate Bill 8 allocates federal funding to support Texans in need including our veterans, rural communities, small businesses and frontline workers,” said Abbott. “Allocating these federal funds paves the way for a more prosperous, brighter future for all Texans.”