CONTRACTS WITH ENTITIES OTHER THAN STATE AGENCIES.

The department may contract for use of the consolidated telecommunications system with:

(1) each house of the legislature;

(2) a legislative agency;

(3) the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, or a court of appeals;

(4) a state governmental entity other than a state agency;

(5) a local government, as defined by Section 2054.003;

(6) a private institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;

(7) an assistance organization, as defined by Section 2175.001;

(8) a public safety entity, as defined by 47 U.S.C. Section 1401;

(9) a governmental entity of another state;

(10) 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;

(11) an independent organization certified under Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for the ERCOT power region;

(12) the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation;

(13) an open-enrollment charter school, as defined by Section 5.001, Education Code;

(14) a private school, as defined by Section 5.001, Education Code;

(15) a private or independent institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; and

(16) a volunteer fire department, as defined by Section 152.001, Tax Code.