Relating to software licensing restrictions for certain state entities, and including applicability provisions

This bill prohibits a software licensing contract entered into by the department of management (DOM) or a supported entity for a software application designed to be installed and run on generally available desktop or server hardware from limiting the ability of DOM or the supported entity to install or run the software application on the desktop or server hardware selected by DOM or the supported entity. The bill applies to software licensing contracts and addendums entered into by DOM or a supported entity on or after July 1, 2026. Under Code chapter 8, subchapter XI (information technology), a supported entity is an authority, board, commission, committee, council, department, or independent agency of state government, but does not include the office of the governor, the office of an elective constitutional or statutory officer, the general assembly, the judicial branch, a political subdivision of the state, or the state board of regents and its institutions.