H.B. No. 41 aims to regulate the acquisition and use of certain foreign unmanned aircraft and related equipment or services by governmental entities in Texas. The bill introduces a new section, 423.010, which prohibits governmental entities from acquiring or using unmanned aircraft or related services from companies that are owned or controlled by the government of a designated country, or that are headquartered in such countries. This prohibition is effective for acquisitions made on or after the bill's effective date, with a grace period allowing existing contracts made before January 1, 2026, to continue until January 1, 2031. Additionally, the bill establishes a grant program to assist law enforcement agencies in replacing prohibited equipment.

Furthermore, the bill amends Chapter 2054 of the Government Code to require the creation of a model security plan addressing the acquisition of telecommunications or video surveillance technologies that may pose risks to state security. This plan will include a list of companies that produce or provide such technologies, particularly those identified as posing risks under the new regulations. The Department of Information Resources is tasked with creating this model security plan by December 1, 2025. The overall intent of the bill is to enhance state security by limiting the use of foreign technologies that could compromise it.

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