84R469 DDT-D

By: Lucio S.B. No. 458

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the aerospace and aviation office of the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office and to the aerospace and aviation advisory committee.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 481.0066, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (d) and (e) and adding Subsections (d-1), (d-2), (e-1), and (e-2) to read as follows:

(d) The aerospace and aviation office shall:

(1) analyze 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) make specific recommendations to the legislature and the governor regarding the promotion of those industries;

(5) 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 commercial provider investment in aerospace activities;

(B) support the retention, development, and expansion of spaceports in this state;

(C) create a business-friendly environment to assist commercial providers in the aerospace industry in conducting business in this state;

(D) promote, develop, and expand tourism related to the aerospace industry;

(E) identify and encourage educational, economic, and defense-related opportunities for aerospace activities;

(F) increase funding for the spaceport trust fund created under Section 481.0069 and support ongoing projects that have been assisted by the fund, including recommending to the legislature an appropriate funding level for the fund;

(G) foster technological advancement and economic development for spaceport activities by strengthening higher education programs and supporting aerospace activities; and

(H) 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;

(6) 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;

(7) [(6)] provide technical support and expertise to the state and to local spaceport authorities regarding aerospace and aviation business matters; and

(8) [(7)] be responsible for the promotion and development of spaceports in this state.

(d-1) The aerospace and aviation office shall make specific short-term and long-term statutory, administrative, and budget-related recommendations to the legislature and the governor regarding the policy initiatives and reforms described by Subsection (d)(5) that may be implemented by the state. The short-term recommendations must include two-year and four-year plans for state action that may be implemented or achieved on or before September 1, 2019, and September 1, 2021, respectively. The long-term recommendations must include 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year plans for state action that may be implemented or achieved on or before September 1, 2022, September 1, 2027, and September 1, 2032, respectively. The aerospace and aviation office shall submit these recommendations to the legislature and governor with the biennial report required by Subsection (d-2) not later than December 1, 2016. This subsection expires September 1, 2017.

(d-2) Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the aerospace and aviation office shall submit to the legislature and governor, in printed or electronic form, a report detailing the actions taken by the aerospace and aviation office in carrying out the policy initiatives and reforms under Subsection (d)(5) to further the purposes of the industry-specific strategic plan as specified in the recommendations required by Subsection (d-1), including:

(1) the status of all projects and activities;

(2) the funding of expenditures;

(3) the planning and research conducted;

(4) the provision of community and technical assistance;

(5) the collection of information; and

(6) an explanation of the ways in which the aerospace and aviation office has promoted the state's economic development goals through increased space exploration activities.

(e) The governor shall appoint an aerospace and aviation advisory committee consisting of seven qualified members to assist in the state's economic development efforts to recruit and retain aerospace and aviation jobs and investment. The committee must consist of:

(1) one member who represents the interests of an active spaceport development corporation created in the lower Gulf Coast area of the state;

(2) one member who represents the interests of an active spaceport development corporation created in the West Texas area of the state;

(3) three members with an aerospace professional background who are selected from each of the following geographical areas of the state:

(A) upper Gulf Coast area;

(B) Central Texas area; and

(C) North Texas area; and

(4) two members who are selected from the state at large.

(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, including aerospace tourism initiatives; and

(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 industry activities.

(e-2) Members of the aerospace and aviation advisory committee:

(1) shall serve staggered four-year terms; and

(2) may not receive compensation for serving on the committee.

SECTION 2. (a) The terms of the current members of the aerospace and aviation advisory committee expire on the effective date of this Act. On that date or as soon as possible after that date, the governor shall appoint new members to the aerospace and aviation advisory committee in accordance with the requirements of Section 481.0066(e), Government Code, as amended by this Act. The governor shall designate four members of the committee whose terms expire on February 1, 2017, and three members of the committee whose terms expire on February 1, 2019.

(b) A member of the aerospace and aviation advisory committee serving immediately before the effective date of this Act is eligible for reappointment to the committee if the person has the qualifications for a member under Section 481.0066(e), Government Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.