HB4850 - Relating to programs to promote economic development in the Office of the Governor and to the repeal of the governor's broadband development council.

      H.B. No. 4850         AN ACT   relating to programs to promote economic development in the Office   of the Governor and to the repeal of the governor's broadband   development council.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 481.0066(e), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (e)  The governor shall appoint an aerospace and aviation   advisory committee consisting of:                (1)  seven qualified members to assist in the state's   economic development efforts to recruit and retain aerospace and   aviation jobs and investment; [ and ]                (2)   one qualified member representing a federal entity   or the United States armed forces; and                 (3)   one member for each active spaceport development   corporation in the state who represents the interests of each   respective spaceport development corporation.          SECTION 2.  Section 481.167(a), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  The office shall establish the Texas Business and   Community Economic Development Clearinghouse to provide   information and assistance to businesses and communities in the   state [ through the use of a statewide toll-free telephone service ].          SECTION 3.  Section 481.652(b), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  The purposes of the consortium are to:                (1)  leverage the expertise and capacity of   institutions of higher education, industry, and nonprofit   stakeholders to advise and provide input to the office regarding   [ develop ] a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure ongoing   semiconductor innovation;                (2)  sustain the leadership of this state in advanced   semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing;                (3)   provide recommendations to the executive   committee on research and funding opportunities related to   semiconductor research, design, commercialization, and   manufacturing [ attract public and private investment in this state   related to research, development, commercialization, and   manufacturing of semiconductors ];                (4)  identify and advise the executive committee on   [ expand ] opportunities for workforce training and development   related to the research, design, and manufacturing of   semiconductors; and                (5)  establish a forum for public and private   stakeholders across the semiconductor manufacturing industry in   this state to focus on education, research and development, and   commercial production.          SECTION 4.  Section 481.654, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as   follows:          (b)  The office shall hire or otherwise provide the staff and   provide the facilities necessary to assist the consortium in   performing the consortium's duties under this subchapter.           (c)     The office shall hire an executive director. The   executive director shall direct staff assigned to report to the   executive director and assist the consortium in performing the   consortium's duties under this subchapter.          SECTION 5.  Section 481.655, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows:           (a-1)     An executive committee member appointed under   Subsections (a)(1) through (3) serves a six-year term at the   pleasure of the applicable appointing authority.   The terms of   executive committee members appointed under Subsections (a)(1)   through (3) must be staggered so that, to the extent practicable,   the terms of one of those members expires on January 31 of each   odd-numbered year.           (a-2)     An executive committee member who is a designee of an   executive committee member described by Subsection (a)(4) or (5)   serves a two-year term.          SECTION 6.  Section 481.656(a), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  The executive committee shall:                (1)   advise and provide input to the office regarding   the [ develop and execute a ] comprehensive statewide strategic plan   to further the purposes [ objectives ] of :                       (A)   the consortium as established under Section   481.652; and                       (B)     the executive committee under this section;   and                (2)  solicit recommendations from consortium members   on funding and research opportunities related to semiconductor   research, design, commercialization, and manufacturing[ ;                [ (3)     appoint an executive director of the consortium   and determine the title, functions, duties, powers, and salary for   the executive director; and                [ (4)     prepare and submit the report required by Section   481.657 ].          SECTION 7.  Subchapter GG, Chapter 481, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 481.6565 to read as follows:           Sec.   481.6565.     STRATEGIC PLAN.   The office shall develop a   strategic plan for the promotion of the semiconductor economy in   this state.          SECTION 8.  Section 481.657, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 481.657.  BIENNIAL REPORT.  Not later than December 1 of   each even-numbered year, the office [ executive committee ] shall   prepare and submit to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board   a written report that outlines:                (1)  activities undertaken to meet the purposes of the   consortium under Section 481.652;                (2)  a summary of the funding and research   opportunities identified under Section 481.656(a)(2);                (3)  any legislative recommendations to further the   purposes of the consortium;                (4)  any prospective grants or funding the consortium   members expect to apply for or receive; and                (5)  any research accomplishments associated with the   consortium.          SECTION 9.  Section 481.658(b), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  Money in the fund may be used to:                (1)  provide matching funding to state entities,   including institutions of higher education, for semiconductor   manufacturing and design projects;                (2)  award grants to business entities with an   established presence in this state to encourage economic   development related to semiconductor manufacturing and design; and                (3)  subject to Subsection (c), pay for staff support   services described by Section 481.654(b) [ 481.656(b) ].          SECTION 10.  Section 490D.051(c), Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (c)  The criteria established under Subsection (b)(1) must   include a requirement that not less than 51 percent of [ all or   virtually ] all significant parts and processing of a product   originated in this state.          SECTION 11.  The following provisions of the Government Code   are repealed:                (1)  Section 481.656(b); and                (2)  Chapter 490H.          SECTION 12.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 4850 was passed by the House on May 7,   2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 139, Nays 3, 2 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 4850 on May 23, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 115, Nays 18,   2 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 4850 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 20, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays   1.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor