HB14 - Relating to support for the development of the nuclear energy industry.

      H.B. No. 14         AN ACT   relating to support for the development of the nuclear energy   industry.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, is amended   by adding Chapter 483 to read as follows:   CHAPTER   483.     TEXAS ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY OFFICE   SUBCHAPTER A.   GENERAL PROVISIONS           Sec. 483.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                 (1)     "Advanced nuclear project" means an electric   generation facility that relies on an advanced nuclear reactor to   generate power, steam, or heat, a nuclear fuel cycle facility that   supplies advanced nuclear reactors, or associated technologies   supporting the advanced nuclear energy industry.                 (2)     "Advanced nuclear reactor" means a range of   nuclear reactor technologies determined by the regulatory   commission to be either of generation III+ or generation IV,   including large light water reactors, small modular reactors,   microreactors, and nuclear cogeneration.                 (3)     "Construction permit" means a permit issued by the   regulatory commission for the construction of:                       (A)     a nuclear production or utilization   facility; or                       (B)     a research or test reactor that contributes   to the future commercialization of that research or test reactor   technology.                 (4)  "Director" means the director of the office.                 (5)     "License" means a license issued by the regulatory   commission that authorizes the license holder to construct and   operate a nuclear power facility, such as a nuclear plant at a   specific site, with specified conditions.                 (6)     "Office" means the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy   Office established under Subchapter B.                 (7)     "Regulatory commission" means the United States   Nuclear Regulatory Commission.                 (8)     "Utility commission" means the Public Utility   Commission of Texas.           Sec.   483.002.     SUNSET PROVISION.   The office is subject to   Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act).   Unless continued   in existence as provided by that chapter, the office is abolished   and this chapter expires September 1, 2035.   SUBCHAPTER B.   TEXAS ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY OFFICE           Sec.   483.101.     ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF OFFICE. (a)   The   Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office is an office within the office   of the governor.           (b)  The purposes of the office are to:                 (1)     provide strategic leadership for the advanced   nuclear reactor system in this state;                 (2)     collaborate with interested stakeholders and   state and local leaders to craft a statewide strategic advanced   nuclear energy public outreach program;                 (3)     promote the development of advanced nuclear   reactors for dispatchable electric generation while creating   high-wage advanced manufacturing jobs in this state;                 (4)     lead the transition to a balanced energy future by   advancing innovative nuclear energy generation technologies while   delivering safe, reliable, and clean energy solutions that address   the state's growing demand;                 (5)     enhance the state's energy security, foster   economic growth, and ensure the safety of future nuclear energy   generation development;                 (6)     identify barriers to the financial viability of   nuclear energy generation and regulatory and licensing   complexities that increase risk to developers of nuclear energy;                 (7)     leverage the expertise and capacity of   institutions of higher education, the nuclear energy industry, the   industrial manufacturing sector, and regulatory stakeholders to   develop a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure the development of   advanced nuclear energy and associated technologies in this state;   and                 (8)     support the development of an advanced nuclear   energy supply chain and associated technologies in this state.           (c)  The office may:                 (1)     subject to Subsection (d), solicit and accept   gifts, grants, or loans from and contract with any entity;                 (2)     establish ad hoc advisory committees as necessary   to carry out the office's duties under this chapter; and                 (3)     exercise any other power necessary to carry out   this chapter.           (d)     The office may not accept a gift, grant, or loan from or   contract with an applicant for or a beneficiary of a grant provided   under Subchapter C.           (e)     The office may not require an advanced nuclear project   to be located in a specific location.           (f)     The office may adopt and enforce rules necessary to   carry out this chapter.           (g)     The office and the utility commission, with the   assistance of any other state entity the office or the utility   commission determines is necessary, shall conduct a study to   identify necessary state regulatory functions related to nuclear   energy generation facilities in this state. The office and the   utility commission shall submit the study to the legislature not   later than December 1, 2026. This subsection expires August 31,   2027.           Sec.   483.102.     DIRECTOR; DUTIES. (a)   The governor shall   employ a director of the office. The director serves at the pleasure   of the governor.           (b)  The director must have demonstrated:                 (1)     experience in the field of advanced nuclear   energy; and                 (2)  executive and organizational ability.           (c)     The director may not have any direct or indirect   interests that substantially conflict with the director's duties.           (d)  The director shall:                 (1)  manage the affairs of the office;                 (2)     administer programs established by this chapter;   and                 (3)     establish appropriate milestones and standards to   ensure proper use of money under this chapter.           (e)     The director may hire staff as necessary to implement   the duties of the office under this chapter.           Sec.   483.103.     STRATEGIC PLAN. Not later than December 1 of   each even-numbered year, the director shall submit to the governor,   the legislature, and the Legislative Budget Board a strategic plan   for furthering the goals, purposes, and objectives established by   this chapter.           Sec.   483.104.     NUCLEAR PERMITTING COORDINATOR. (a) The   director may employ a nuclear permitting coordinator to assist   businesses throughout the nuclear energy permitting and regulatory   process.           (b)     A nuclear permitting coordinator must have a   demonstrated familiarity with the permitting and regulatory   process in this state.           (c)  The nuclear permitting coordinator shall:                 (1)     act as a single point of contact for stakeholders   during the nuclear energy permitting and regulatory process;                 (2)     identify active or likely siting opportunities and   required permits and approvals for nuclear energy generation sites   and key personnel; and                 (3)     provide guidance for regulated persons navigating   local, state, and federal regulations for nuclear energy generation   facilities.           (d)     The nuclear permitting coordinator shall make any   assistance provided under this section equally available to all   businesses engaged in the nuclear energy permitting and regulatory   process.           (e)     The nuclear permitting coordinator shall document all   activities carried out in the provision of assistance under this   section and make that information available to the public on   request.   SUBCHAPTER   C.     TEXAS ADVANCED NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT FUND; GRANT   PROGRAMS           Sec.   483.201.     TEXAS ADVANCED NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT FUND.   (a)     The Texas advanced nuclear development fund is created as a   dedicated account in the general revenue fund. The fund consists   of:                 (1)     subject to Section 483.101(d), gifts, grants, or   donations to the fund; and                 (2)     money from any other source designated by the   legislature.           (b)  The office may use money in the fund:                 (1)     to provide reimbursement-based grants to eligible   businesses, nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities,   including institutions of higher education, through the programs   established in this subchapter; and                 (2)     to pay for reasonable and necessary costs for   staff support necessary to facilitate the work of the office.           Sec.   483.202.     REIMBURSEMENT GRANT PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED.   (a)   The office shall establish grant programs under this   subchapter and the director shall administer those programs.           (b)     The office may provide a grant under this subchapter   only to reimburse expenses paid by a recipient using the   recipient's own funds.   An applicant for a grant under this   subchapter may have received financial assistance or incentives   from a local, state, or federal source, but the office may not   provide a grant under this subchapter to reimburse expenses paid by   a recipient or the recipient's project partner using financial   assistance or incentives from the local, state, or federal source.     An applicant shall provide the office with detailed information   regarding any financial assistance or incentives requested or   received for the project for which it is requesting grant funds.           (c)     An applicant that has received state-appropriated money   for an advanced nuclear reactor is not eligible to receive a grant   under Section 483.204.           (d)     The office shall submit to the lieutenant governor and   the speaker of the house of representatives a notice of each grant   the office proposes to approve. The office may not approve the grant   if both those officers submit a written communication to the office &#xA [Text truncated for display. Full text available on Congress.gov.]