The House Committee on Economic & Small Business Development

85th Legislature

April 12, 2018

10:00 a.m.

Richardson, TX

Pursuant to a notice posted on March 23, 2018, the House Committee on Economic & Small Business Development met in a public hearing at the University of Texas at Dallas in the Naveen Jindal School of Management – Davidson Auditorium, located at 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080 and was called to order by the chair, Representative Button, at 10:01 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Button; Leach; Metcalf; and Ortega.

Economic Development

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

Representative Krause also in attendance.

The Chair laid out interim charge #2: “Study the state’s effectiveness in developing and growing high-growth, high-tech start ups. Review current regulations and determine if barriers exist that potentially impede investment and growth. Evaluate the concept of a “sandbox” as a regulatory approach for enabling innovation and the feasibility of implementing such an approach in Texas.”

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

The Chair laid out interim charge #3: “Evaluate the ongoing and long-term workforce needs of the state’s business and industries. Determine whether state resources are adequate to address shortages and assist with closing the existing or future gaps in workforce readiness and skills to ensure the continued economic security or utilization of incentives.”

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

Representative Neave also in attendance.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

The Chair laid out interim charge #4: “Analyze current data on the distribution of state economic development incentives across the state. Identify advantages or qualities, if any, possessed by the regions frequently awarded state incentives. Accordingly, identify resources available to underserved regions to increase awareness or utilization of incentives.”

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

At 12:26 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

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Rep. Button, Chair

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Victoria Smith, Clerk