Darby Nuclear Bill Seats Abilene Christian’s President On The Committee

The text as introduced · 1,119 words

89R8345 SCR-D

By: Darby
H.B. No. 2678

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy

Authority and a Texas nuclear permitting officer.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 481, Government Code, is amended by

adding Subchapter HH to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER HH. TEXAS ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY AUTHORITY

Sec. 481.701. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Authority" means the Texas Advanced Nuclear

Energy Authority.

(2) "Executive committee" means the executive

committee of the authority.

(3) "Fund" means the Texas Advanced Nuclear Innovation

Fund.

(4) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning

assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.

Sec. 481.702. ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSES. (a) The Texas

Advanced Nuclear Energy Authority is established to strengthen and

grow the nuclear industry in this state and to enable and accelerate

the integration of advanced nuclear technology into the economy of

this state.

(b) The purposes of the authority are to:

(1) leverage the expertise and capacity of

institutions of higher education, industry, and regulatory

stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure

the development of advanced nuclear energy and technologies in this

state;

(2) identify obstacles and provide recommendations to

the governor and legislature regarding advanced nuclear energy and

technologies;

(3) provide strategic leadership within the advanced

nuclear reactor system in this state;

(4) manage advanced nuclear energy and technology

projects with a goal of interconnection of clean, dispatchable

nuclear power from advanced nuclear reactors to the power grid of

this state by 2035;

(5) support existing advanced nuclear energy

industries in this state and attract new advanced nuclear energy

industry projects and partners to this state;

(6) support the development of an advanced nuclear

energy supply chain in this state; and

(7) implement and build on the policy recommendations

of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group.

Sec. 481.703. ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT. (a) The

authority is administratively attached to the office of the

governor.

(b) The office shall provide the staff and facilities

necessary to assist the authority in performing the authority's

duties under this subchapter.

Sec. 481.704. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE COMPOSITION. (a) The

authority is governed by an executive committee composed of the

following members:

(1) three members appointed by the governor;

(2) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house

of representatives;

(4) the chancellor of The Texas A&M University System

or the chancellor's designee;

(5) the chancellor of The University of Texas System

or the chancellor's designee;

(6) the president of Abilene Christian University or

the president's designee; and

(7) one nonvoting student ambassador appointed by the

members described by Subdivisions (4), (5), and (6).

(b) In making appointments under Subsection (a), priority

shall be given to individuals with experience in advanced nuclear

energy research, technologies, and production.

(c) In making appointments under Subsection (a), the

governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of

representatives shall coordinate to ensure that at least two

representatives from the advanced nuclear energy industry with an

established presence in this state are appointed to the executive

committee.

Sec. 481.705. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. (a) The executive

committee shall hire an executive director. The executive director

shall perform the duties required by this subchapter and any duty

delegated by the committee.

(b) The executive director must have a demonstrated ability

to lead and develop academic, commercial, military, or governmental

partnerships and coalitions.

(c) The executive director may hire staff as necessary to

implement the duties of the authority under this subchapter.

Sec. 481.706. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The executive

committee shall:

(1) develop and execute a comprehensive statewide

strategic plan to further the objectives of the authority as

established under Section 481.702;

(2) solicit recommendations from stakeholders on

funding and research opportunities related to advanced nuclear

energy research, technologies, and production;

(3) appoint and determine the salary for a nuclear

permitting officer as required by Section 481.707;

(4) administer any funds created by the legislature,

including under Section 481.709, to support advanced nuclear

capital projects, supply chain development, and other initiatives;

and

(5) prepare and submit the report required by Section

481.708.

Sec. 481.707. NUCLEAR PERMITTING OFFICER. (a) The

executive committee shall appoint a nuclear permitting officer.

(b) The nuclear permitting officer must have a demonstrated

familiarity with the permitting and regulatory process in this

state and a developed network of contacts within the government of

this state for the purposes of assisting businesses throughout the

permitting and regulatory process.

(c) The nuclear permitting officer shall:

(1) act as a single point of contact for stakeholders

during the nuclear energy permitting process;

(2) identify active or likely siting opportunities and

required permits and approvals for nuclear energy sites and key

personnel;

(3) provide tailored assistance to help industry

navigate relevant local, state, and federal regulations and

regulatory entities for nuclear facilities; and

(4) share information regarding this state's economic

incentive programs for nuclear energy research and production.

(d) The nuclear permitting officer may enter into

agreements with the office of the governor for staff support

services to facilitate the work of the authority.

Sec. 481.708. BIENNIAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of

each even-numbered year, the executive committee shall prepare and

submit to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board a written

report that outlines:

(1) activities undertaken to meet the purposes of the

authority under Section 481.702;

(2) a summary of the funding and research

opportunities identified under Section 481.706;

(3) any legislative recommendations to further the

purposes of the authority;

(4) any prospective grants or funding the authority

members expect to apply for or receive; and

(5) any research accomplishments associated with the

authority.

Sec. 481.709. TEXAS ADVANCED NUCLEAR INNOVATION FUND. (a)

The Texas Advanced Nuclear Innovation Fund is created as a

dedicated account within the general revenue fund. The fund

consists of:

(1) gifts, grants, or donations to the fund; and

(2) money from any other source designated by the

legislature.

(b) Money in the fund may be used to:

(1) provide matching funding to state entities,

including institutions of higher education, for advanced nuclear

research and development projects;

(2) award grants to business entities with an

established presence in this state to encourage economic

development related to advanced nuclear energy research,

technologies, and production; and

(3) subject to Subsection (c), pay for staff support

services described by Section 481.707(d).

(c) The authority shall request from the Legislative Budget

Board approval to use money in the fund for the purpose described by

Subsection (b)(3). A request under this subsection shall be

considered approved on the 30th day after receipt by the

Legislative Budget Board unless expressly disapproved.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.