88R13521 CJD-F

By: Lopez of Cameron, et al. H.B. No. 4734

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study evaluating this state's business advantages, economic climate, and workforce readiness, and a report on attracting offshore wind energy supply chain industries to this state.

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

SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "office" means the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office within the office of the governor.

SECTION 2. STUDY AND REPORT ON OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY SUPPLY CHAIN COMPETITIVENESS. (a) The office, in collaboration with the Texas Workforce Commission, shall conduct a study and develop a report to identify and analyze this state's potential economic and workforce growth opportunities and challenges related to attracting offshore wind energy supply chain industries to this state. The report may include recommendations for further study, policies, or investments in aspects of the offshore wind energy supply chain.

(b) In preparing the study, the office may consider and identify:

(1) discrete segments within the offshore wind energy supply chain, including advanced manufacturing operations, specialty component manufacturing, seaport network infrastructure, shipbuilding, component assembly, transportation and distribution, and ancillary services for future domestic offshore wind energy projects;

(2) the estimated number and type of current and potential offshore wind energy supply chain direct manufacturing jobs;

(3) potential industry growth and activity in this state's existing seaport network, advanced manufacturing, energy production and management, and information technology industries;

(4) the greatest impact investment opportunities to produce the largest net economic benefit, including identification of the geographic areas most likely to benefit or to be impacted by offshore wind energy supply chain industries in this state;

(5) potential benefits to local tax bases;

(6) expected additional contributions to state economic production;

(7) potential ancillary economic benefits; and

(8) any additional information the office identifies as relevant.

(c) In conducting the study and preparing the report, the office may:

(1) conduct an analysis of current resources in this state compared to the workforce education, training, development, and recruitment needed to offer a skilled workforce for employers in the offshore wind energy supply chain industry;

(2) evaluate the potential benefits of and opportunities to develop regional private sector partnerships with offshore wind energy supply chain industries to support workforce development and training;

(3) explore opportunities for partnerships with neighboring states to undertake complementary actions, policies, and investments that will help achieve a domestic offshore wind energy supply chain and workforce;

(4) identify available funding, including resources from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. No. 117-58) and Pub. L. No. 117-169, to support the recruitment and expansion of offshore wind energy supply chain industries to this state and related workforce development; and

(5) develop actionable recommendations this state should take to recruit new, and assist the expansion of existing, offshore wind energy supply chain industries.

(d) The office may, if necessary and as appropriate, partner with a nonprofit entity or institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, to conduct the study.

SECTION 3. REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. Not later than December 1, 2024, the office shall submit a report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the legislature that includes the results of the study and a report of recommendations for legislative or other action.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2025.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.