Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 932 amends the Government Code to abolish the Texas Department of Commerce and create the Texas Department of Economic Development, establish certain requirements for the department governing board, and directs the department to establish an Office of Defense Affairs and the Texas Business and Community Economic Development Clearinghouse. The act specifies the duties of the department, directs the department to enter into agreements with the Texas Workforce Commission, the comptroller, and the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority to carry out certain responsibilities, and directs the department to conduct a study regarding the transition of the Texas Manufacturing Institute to a self-supporting entity. It transfers certain programs to the department from the Texas Department of Transportation and establishes specific provisions related to the directors and duties of the Office of Rural Affairs and the Office of Small Business Assistance. It states legislative intent that smart jobs fund money be spent in all areas of the state and provides for grants of more than $1.5 million only to certain employers, including small and micro-businesses. The act also establishes the Texas Strategic Economic Development Planning Commission and the Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission.