BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1747
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
H.B. 1747 creates the Texas Entrepreneurship Network (TEN) and the Texas Entrepreneurship Network Fund, a general revenue fund administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. A rider in the General Appropriations Act appropriates state funds to operate the network.
The TEN initiative is a results-driven, statewide public/private collaboration designed to create jobs and energize local sustainable economies through the development of entrepreneurs across Texas. The collaboration will train local individuals as entrepreneurs, build a network of expert mentors and leaders, assemble a database of service providers and sources of financing, transfer university research to entrepreneurs, and assist entrepreneurs in accessing all of these key resources efficiently.
The purpose of the TEN is not to create a separate organization to do economic development in Texas, but to bring together and unify all of the agencies and organizations currently doing so, in support of entrepreneurship throughout the state.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, by adding Chapter 490, as follows:
CHAPTER 490. TEXAS ENTREPRENEURSHIP NETWORK
Sec. 490.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "entrepreneur participant," "fund," and "network."
Sec. 490.002. ESTABLISHMENT OF NETWORK. Sets forth methods through which the Texas Entrepreneurship Network will be established to develop and diversify the economy of this state. Sets forth requirements of the Texas Center for Rural Entrepreneurship.
Sec. 490.003. MEMBERS OF NETWORK. Sets forth the founding members of the network. Authorizes certain institutions to join the network.
Sec. 490.004. ADVISORY BOARD. (a) Require the Texas Center for Rural Entrepreneurship to establish an advisory board to guide and advise the operations of the network.
(b) Sets forth the composition of the advisory board. Authorizes certain organizations to have a representative on the advisory board under certain circumstances.
(c) Requires the initial advisory board to adopt provisions to determine the terms of the board members and to stagger the members' terms, and other provisions necessary to administer the board.
(d) Provides that advisory board members serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for certain expenses.
Sec. 490.005. GENERAL DUTIES AND GOALS. Requires the network to train and refocus existing state and local resources build a more prosperous, dynamic, and sustainable economy throughout the state by taking specific actions. Requires the network to work locally, regionally, and statewide with specific entities to assist entrepreneur participants and improve the environment for entrepreneurial development on this state.
Sec. 490.006. ENTREPRENEURSHIP SERVICES. (a) Requires the network to develop a statewide association of certain individuals and help local entrepreneur participants start, grow, or develop their businesses.
(b) Authorizes the network to establish local entrepreneurship centers in every county practicable, at which entrepreneur participants may access certain programs and resources. Sets forth required resources to be used in establishing the entrepreneurship centers.
(c) Requires the network to adopt requirements for entrepreneurship centers. Requires an organization to meet the requirements adopted under this subsection before hosting an entrepreneurship center.
(d) Authorizes certain groups of individuals to agree to provide services through the network as an entrepreneurship force.
Sec. 490.007. NETWORK PROGRAMS. Authorizes the network to develop certain programs, policies, regulations, and to collaborations with other entities.
Sec. 490.008. TEXAS ENTREPRENEURSHIP NETWORK FUND. (a) Provides that the Texas Entrepreneurship Network fund is an account in the general revenue fund. Requires the Department of Agriculture to administer the fund.
(b) Sets forth the required amounts to be deposited in the fund.
(c) Restricts the use of the fund to network purposes, subject to Section 490.009.
(d) Authorizes the network to solicit and accept gifts and grants for the fund from public and private entities.
Sec. 490.009. USE OF FUND. Sets forth specific required uses for money appropriated to the fund by the legislature.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2005.