88R12474 MLH-D

By: Blanco S.B. No. 1329

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to establishing the Defense and Aerospace Manufacturing Task Force.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 481, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 481.00661 to read as follows:

Sec. 481.00661. DEFENSE AND AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING TASK FORCE. (a) In this section, "task force" means the Defense and Aerospace Manufacturing Task Force.

(b) The Defense and Aerospace Manufacturing Task Force is established within the aerospace and aviation office to study and make recommendations for the promotion of defense and aerospace manufacturing and supply chain security in this state.

(c) The task force is composed of nine members from the public and private sectors, to be appointed as follows:

(1) one representative from the Texas Workforce Commission, appointed by the governor;

(2) one representative from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, appointed by the governor;

(3) one representative from the Texas Economic Development Council, appointed by the governor;

(4) one representative from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, appointed by the governor;

(5) one representative from the comptroller's office, appointed by the governor;

(6) one representative from a university receiving federal funds for defense and aerospace manufacturing, appointed by the governor; and

(7) three members of the defense and aerospace manufacturing industry, one of whom is appointed by the governor, one of whom is appointed by the lieutenant governor, and one of whom is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(d) Not later than December 1, 2023, the governor shall convene the first meeting of the task force.

(e) The task force may obtain advice, information, and studies from qualified outside experts to perform its duties under this section.

(f) Task force members may not receive compensation for services but, subject to the availability of funding, may receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred while performing task force business.

(g) The task force shall:

(1) identify ways to streamline coordination between state and local government regulation and processes;

(2) propose a new economic development incentive to attract the manufacturing and supply chain industry;

(3) make recommendations to improve the effectiveness of current economic development incentives to attract the manufacturing and supply chain industry;

(4) identify ways to bolster supply chains in this state; and

(5) make recommendations to:

(A) align the education-to-workforce pipeline in the defense and aerospace industries; and

(B) develop and fund apprenticeships in the defense and aerospace industries.

(h) Not later than December 1, 2024, the task force shall prepare and submit a written report addressing the issues under Subsection (g) to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and members of the legislature.

(i) This section expires September 1, 2025.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint members to the Defense and Aerospace Manufacturing Task Force in accordance with Section 481.00661, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.