BILL ANALYSIS
By: Corte, Frank
Defense Affairs & State-Federal Relations
Whereas, The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated a competitive process to select a site for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), a first-in-the-nation integrated research endeavor designed to support the complementary missions of the DHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the United States Department of Agriculture by assessing national security risks from emerging diseases that threaten animal and human health in the United States; and whereas, The Texas Bio- and Agro-Defense Consortium (TBAC), comprising three San Antonio research institutions, and the Texas A&M NBAF Consortium led by Texas A&M University have each submitted bids to locate the NBAF center in Texas with proposed sites at Brooks City-Base, the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, and Texas Research Park in San Antonio and Research Valley centered around College Station; and whereas, both Texas proposals explicitly address Department of Homeland Security requirements relating to detection, diagnosis, prevention, and recovery, and the state's leadership has long supported the department's national security priorities; given the quality of the two bids for the NBAF and the state's long-standing dedication to national security issues, Texas is a clear choice for this research endeavor; now, therefore, be it resolved that the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby express support for bids by the Texas Bio- and Agro-Defense Consortium and the Texas A&M NBAF Consortium to locate the United States Department of Homeland Security's National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Texas; and that the legislature commend the City of San Antonio and Texas A&M University for their leadership and support of the biomedical and biotechnology industries and recognize the state's continued support for national defense and the mission of the United States.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
HCR 173 resolves that the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby express support for bids by the Texas Bio- and Agro-Defense Consortium and the Texas A&M NBAF Consortium to locate the United States Department of Homeland Security's National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Texas, and that the legislature commend the City of San Antonio and Texas A&M University for their leadership and support of the biomedical and biotechnology industries and recognize the state's continued support for national defense and the mission of the United States.