SB2827 - Relating to the establishment and administration of the Texas Quantum Initiative.

  89R16169 MLH-F     By: Parker S.B. No. 2827       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment and administration of the Texas   Quantum Initiative.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 481, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter HH to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER HH. TEXAS QUANTUM INITIATIVE           Sec. 481.681.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                 (1)     "Executive committee" means the executive   committee of the initiative.                 (2)  "Initiative" means the Texas Quantum Initiative.                 (3)     "Institution of higher education" has the meaning   assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.           Sec.   481.682.     ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSES.   (a)   The Texas   Quantum Initiative is established to:                 (1)     establish and advance this state's position as a   national leader in the quantum industry; and                 (2)     accelerate the integration of quantum computing,   networking, and sensing technology into the economy of this state.           (b)  The purposes of the initiative are to:                 (1)     leverage the expertise and capacity of regulatory   stakeholders and institutions of higher education and industry to   develop a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure the development of   quantum technologies in this state;                 (2)     identify obstacles and provide recommendations to   the governor and legislature regarding quantum economic   opportunities and technologies;                 (3)     provide strategic leadership with respect to   quantum initiatives;                 (4)     identify and expand opportunities for workforce   training and development related to the research, design, and   manufacturing of quantum computing technology;                 (5)     support existing quantum computing and networking   industries in this state;                 (6)     attract new quantum computing and networking   projects and partners to this state;                 (7)     support the development of a quantum manufacturing   supply chain in this state; and                 (8)     develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the   state to ensure ongoing quantum leadership, prioritizing   commercial and practical utility, through investments in the   necessary foundational infrastructure, including quantum systems   and networking equipment, jobs and workforce, and real property.           Sec.   481.683.     ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT. (a)   The   initiative is administratively attached to the office of the   governor.           (b)     The office of the governor shall provide the staff and   facilities necessary to assist the initiative in performing the   initiative's duties under this subchapter.           Sec.   481.684.     EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE COMPOSITION. (a)   The   initiative is governed by an executive committee composed of the   following members:                 (1)  three members appointed by the governor;                 (2)     two members appointed by the lieutenant governor;   and                 (3)     two members appointed by the speaker of the house   of representatives.           (b)     In making appointments under Subsection (a), priority   shall be given to individuals from the quantum design and   manufacturing sectors.           (c)     In making appointments under Subsection (a), the   governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of   representatives shall coordinate to ensure that the members of the   executive committee include:                 (1)     at least one representative from a quantum   infrastructure provider who has demonstrated experience in:                       (A)     implementing quantum networks in similar   settings; and                       (B)     deploying leading edge quantum computing   systems in third-party data centers; and                 (2)     at least one representative of a manufacturer of a   quantum computing system with the ability to enable the creation   and deployment of quantum solutions with commercial and practical   use.           (d)     An executive committee member serves a two-year term.   An executive committee member may be reappointed for additional   terms.           (e)     A vacancy on the executive committee shall be filled by   appointment. The authority that appointed the former member of the   vacant position shall appoint a new member to the vacant position.           (f)     Initial executive committee appointments shall be made   by October 1, 2025. This subsection expires December 31, 2025.           Sec.   481.685.     EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. (a)   The executive   committee shall hire an executive director. The executive director   shall perform the duties required by this subchapter and any duty   delegated by the committee.           (b)     The executive director must have demonstrated an   ability to lead and develop academic, commercial, or governmental   partnerships and coalitions.           (c)     The executive director may hire staff as necessary to   implement the duties of the initiative under this subchapter.           Sec.   481.686.     DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The executive   committee shall:                 (1)     develop and execute a comprehensive statewide   strategic plan to further the purposes of the initiative under   Section 481.682;                 (2)     solicit recommendations from institutions of   higher education, initiative members, and stakeholders on funding   and research opportunities related to quantum education and   research, design, commercialization, community outreach, and   manufacturing projects;                 (3)     appoint and determine the salary for an executive   director as hired under Section 481.685;                 (4)     administer funds, including any funds   appropriated by the legislature or available under Section 481.689,   to support quantum design and manufacturing, capital projects,   supply chain development, and other initiatives; and                 (5)     prepare and submit the report required by Section   481.688.           Sec.   481.687.     STRATEGIC PLAN. (a)   The executive committee   shall develop a strategic plan for the promotion of the quantum   economy in this state. The plan must include:                 (1)     a list of potential projects that further the   goals of the initiative;                 (2)     a list of federal grant opportunities that are   related to quantum technology and for which institutions in this   state are eligible to apply;                 (3)     an assessment of the availability of external   funding sources for each project identified under Subdivision (1);   and                 (4)     any other information the executive committee   determines is relevant to further the initiative's goals.           (b)     The executive committee shall submit the strategic plan   required by this section not later than December 31 of each year to   the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house   of representatives.           Sec.   481.688.     BIENNIAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of   each even-numbered year, the 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   initiative under Section 481.682;                 (2)     a summary of the funding and research   opportunities identified by the executive committee;                 (3)     any legislative recommendations to further the   purposes of the initiative;                 (4)     any prospective grants or funding the initiative   members expect to apply for or receive; and                 (5)     any research accomplishments associated with the   initiative.           Sec.   481.689.     QUANTUM UNIVERSITY AND BUSINESS INNOVATION   FOR TEXAS FUND. (a)   In this section, "fund" means the Quantum   University and Business Innovation for Texas Fund created by this   section.           (b)     The Quantum University and Business Innovation for   Texas Fund is created as a dedicated account within the general   revenue fund. The fund consists of:                 (1)  gifts, grants, or donations to the fund; and                 (2)     money from any other source designated by the   legislature.           (c)  Money in the fund may be used to:                 (1)     provide matching funding to state entities,   including institutions of higher education, for quantum   manufacturing and design projects;                 (2)     award grants to business entities to encourage   economic development related to quantum manufacturing and design   projects; and                 (3)     subject to Subsection (d), pay for staff support   services described by Section 481.685(c).           (d)     The executive committee shall request approval from the   Legislative Budget Board to use money in the fund for the purpose   described by Subsection (c)(3). A request under this subsection is   considered approved on the 30th day after receipt by the   Legislative Budget Board unless expressly denied.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.