Title
Consider recommendation from the Executive Committee to approve Resolution and Order No. 11-24-111 adopting a policy on state-wide prohibited technologies.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board adopt Resolution and Order No. 11-24-111 of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors adopting a policy on state-wide prohibited technologies in accordance with SB 1893 of the 88th Texas Legislature and direct the General Manager to take all actions necessary to implement the policy.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider an Executive Committee recommendation to approve a resolution and order adopting a policy on state-wide prohibited technologies. On December 7, 2022, Governor Greg Abbott required all state agencies to ban the video-sharing application TikTok from all state-owned and state-issued devices and networks over the Chinese Communist Party’s ability to use the application for surveilling Texans. Governor Abbott also directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (“DPS”) and the Texas Department of Information Resources (“DIR”) to develop a plan providing state agencies guidance on managing personal devices used to conduct state business. Following the issuance of the Governor’s directive, the 88th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1893, which adopted Chapter 620, Texas Government Code prohibiting the use of covered applications on governmental entity devices. Pursuant to Chapter 620, Texas Government Code, governmental entities, including special purpose districts such as the EAA, must establish a covered applications policy. A “covered application” is defined as “[t]he social media service TikTok or any successor application or service developed or provided by ByteDance Limited, or an entity owned by ByteDance Limited,” or “[a] social media application or service specified by proclamation of the governor under Government Code Section 620.005.
Attached Resolution and Order No. 11-24-111 and model policy p...
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