If the executive director determines that participation is in the best interest of this state, the following entities are eligible customers for services the department provides:

1. (1) a state agency;
2. (2) a local government;
3. (3) the legislature or a legislative agency;
4. (4) the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, or a court of appeals;
5. (5) a public hospital owned or operated by this state or a political subdivision or municipal corporation of this state, including a hospital district or hospital authority;
6. (6) an independent organization certified under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for the ERCOT power region;
7. (7) the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation;
8. (8) an assistance organization, as defined by Section 2175.001;
9. (9) an open-enrollment charter school, as defined by Section 5.001, Education Code;
10. (10) a private school, as defined by Section 5.001, Education Code;
11. (11) a private or independent institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;
12. (12) a public safety entity, as defined by 47 U.S.C. Section 1401;
13. (13) a volunteer fire department, as defined by Section 152.001, Tax Code; and
14. (14) a governmental entity of another state.

Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 242 (H.B. 4553), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.