HB5246 - Relating to the administration, powers, and duties of the Texas Space Commission and Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium, to other governmental entities regarding aerospace, aviation, and space exploration initiatives and activities, and to the abolishment of the spaceport trust fund.

      H.B. No. 5246         AN ACT   relating to the administration, powers, and duties of the Texas   Space Commission and Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy   Consortium, to other governmental entities regarding aerospace,   aviation, and space exploration initiatives and activities, and to   the abolishment of the spaceport trust fund.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 481.0066(d), (e), and (e-1), Government   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (d)  The aerospace and aviation office shall:                (1)  analyze aerospace-related [ space-related ] and   aviation-related research currently conducted in this state and may   conduct activities designed to further that research;                (2)  analyze the state's economic position in the   aerospace and aviation industries;                (3)  develop short-term and long-term business   strategies as part of an industry-specific strategic plan to   promote the retention, development, and expansion of aerospace and   aviation industry facilities in the state that is consistent with   and complementary of the office strategic plan;                (4)  as part of and to further the purposes of the   industry-specific strategic plan described by Subdivision (3),   develop short-term and long-term policy initiatives or recommend   reforms the state may undertake or implement to:                      (A)  increase investment in aerospace and   aviation activities;                      (B)  [ support the retention, development, and   expansion of spaceports in this state;                      [ (C) ]  identify and encourage educational,   economic, and defense-related opportunities for aerospace and   aviation activities;                       (C)   [ (D)   determine the appropriate level of   funding for the spaceport trust fund created under Section 481.0069   and ] support ongoing projects that have been assisted by the former   spaceport trust fund[ , including recommending to the legislature an   appropriate funding level for the fund ]; and                       (D)  [ (E) ]  partner with the Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board to foster technological advancement   and economic development for aerospace [ spaceport ] activities by   strengthening higher education programs and supporting aerospace   activities; [ and                      [ (F)     partner with the Texas Workforce Commission   to support initiatives that address the high technology skills and   staff resources needed to better promote the state's efforts in   becoming the leading space exploration state in the nation; ]                (5)  act as a liaison with other state and federal   entities with related economic, educational, and defense   responsibilities to support the marketing of the state's aerospace   and aviation capabilities; and                (6)  provide technical support and expertise to the   state and to local [ spaceport ] authorities regarding aerospace and   aviation business matters[ ; and                [ (7)     be responsible for the promotion and development   of spaceports in this state ].          (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 member for each active spaceport development   corporation in the state who represents the interests of each   respective spaceport development corporation ].          (e-1)  The aerospace and aviation advisory committee shall:                (1)  advise the governor on the recruitment and   retention of aerospace and aviation jobs and investment;                (2)  assist the office and the aerospace and aviation   office in meeting the state's economic development efforts to   recruit and retain aerospace and aviation jobs and investment;                (3)  [ advise the office, the aerospace and aviation   office, and the governor on an appropriate funding level for the   spaceport trust fund;                [ (4) ]  advise the office, the aerospace and aviation   office, and the governor on recruitment, retention, and expansion   of aerospace and aviation industry activities; and                 (4)  [ (5) ]  collect and disseminate information on   federal, state, local, and private community economic development   programs that assist or provide loans, grants, or other funding to   aerospace and aviation industry activities.          SECTION 2.  Section 482.001, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subdivision (2-a) to read as follows:                 (2-a)     "Consortium" means the Texas Aerospace Research   and Space Economy Consortium established under Subchapter G.          SECTION 3.  Sections 482.101(a) and (b), Government Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (a)  The Texas Space Commission is established to strengthen   this state's proven leadership in civil, commercial, and military   outer space [ aerospace ] activity.          (b)  The purpose of the commission is to promote :                 (1)   innovation in the fields of space exploration and   commercial space;                 (2)  commercial space [ aerospace ] opportunities ; and                 (3)   [ , including ] the integration of the space and [ , ]   aeronautics[ , and aviation ] industries into the economy of this   state.          SECTION 4.  Section 482.103, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 482.103.  SUNSET PROVISION. The commission is subject   to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as   provided by that chapter, the commission is abolished and this   chapter expires September 1, 2033 [ 2032 ].          SECTION 5.  Section 482.105, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a), (b), (c), (e), and (f) and adding   Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:          (a)  The commission is governed by a [ nine-member ] board of   directors [ . The board is ] composed of the following nine voting   members :                (1)  three members appointed by the governor;                (2)  three members appointed by the lieutenant   governor; and                (3)  three members appointed by the speaker of the   house of representatives.           (a-1)     The executive director of the Texas Economic   Development and Tourism Office serves as an ex officio nonvoting   member of the board.          (b)  In making appointments under Subsection (a), the   governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of   representatives shall prioritize appointing individuals with   experience in:                (1)   the nongovernmental commercial space industry   [ aerospace ];                (2)   governmental space operations [ civil aviation ];                (3)  military space operations [ aerospace ];                (4)   space-related [ space ] economic development;                (5)  space-related academic research; and                (6)  nonprofit support of the space economy.          (c)   Voting members [ Members ] of the board appointed by the   governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house serve [ at   the pleasure of the appointing office ] for staggered six-year   terms, with the terms of three  [ two ] members expiring on January 31   of each odd-numbered year.          (e)  Not later than the 30th day after the date a voting board   member's term expires, the appropriate appointing authority shall   appoint a replacement.          (f)  The board shall elect a presiding officer from among the   voting members of the board.          SECTION 6.  Section 482.107, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 482.107.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS: AUTHORITY. (a) The board   shall:                (1)  direct the activities of, establish goals for, and   provide oversight to the commission;                (2)  develop and execute a strategic plan in accordance   with Section 482.201;                (3)  establish the appropriate standards and executive   bodies to ensure the proper use of funds authorized under this   chapter for research and facilities development;                (4)  identify research and funding opportunities for   entities within this state that:                      (A)  strengthen and enhance this state's proven   leadership position in civil, commercial, and military aeronautics   research and development and space flight infrastructure;                      (B)  enhance the integration of the space and [ , ]   aeronautics[ , astronautics, and aviation ] industries into this   state's economy; and                      (C)  promote and further research involving   materials derived from or developed through space exploration and   space flight;                (5)  capitalize, promote, and assist in the development   of workforce training to further the development of emerging   technologies required for all aspects of space exploration; [ and ]                (6)  solicit recommendations from the consortium for   projects [ proposals on funding ] and [ research ] opportunities   related to the objectives in this chapter that may be funded with   money from the fund;                 (7)     market and promote the state as the premier   location for space-related industries and promote commission   activities;                 (8)     as necessary to promote space-related industries & [Text truncated for display. Full text available on Congress.gov.]