Morgan Bill Lets Nine Governor Appointees Hand Out Research Grants

The text as introduced · 770 words

89R15443 SCR-D

By: Morgan
H.B. No. 4469

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of the Texas Advanced Research Institute.

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

SECTION 1. Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, is amended

by adding Chapter 483 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 483. TEXAS ADVANCED RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Sec. 483.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Council" means the governing council of the

institute.

(2) "Institute" means the Texas Advanced Research

Institute.

Sec. 483.002. PURPOSES. The Texas Advanced Research

Institute is established in the office of the governor to:

(1) promote advanced research efforts in all

disciplines, including:

(A) energy;

(B) medicine; and

(C) biotechnology;

(2) attract, create, or expand research capabilities

of public or private institutions of higher education and other

public or private entities that will promote a substantial increase

in advanced research and development and in the creation of

inventions and patents in this state;

(3) ensure that this state invests and receives a

return on investment in advanced research and development

commensurate with the size and influence of this state's economy;

and

(4) serve as an intermediary between institutions of

higher education, the private sector, and other stakeholders to

develop the workforce of this state and equip that workforce with

skills and credentials for the jobs and professions of the future,

including technical skills.

Sec. 483.003. SUNSET PROVISION. The Texas Advanced

Research Institute is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act).

Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the

institute is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2037.

Sec. 483.004. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The institute:

(1) may make grants to provide funding to public or

private persons to conduct research and development with the

objective of advancing knowledge, creating intellectual property,

and identifying commercial opportunities to monetize the products

resulting from advanced research and development;

(2) shall coordinate with participating public and

private persons to develop the Texas Advanced Research Plan;

(3) may support institutions of higher education,

advanced research facilities, and collaborations in this state in

all stages in the process of conducting and exploiting advanced

research and development;

(4) may establish the appropriate standards and

oversight bodies to ensure the proper use of funds authorized under

this chapter for advanced research and development;

(5) shall continuously monitor contracts and

agreements authorized by this chapter and ensure that each grant

recipient complies with the terms and conditions of the grant

contract;

(6) shall ensure that all grant proposals comply with

this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter before the

proposals are granted approval; and

(7) shall establish procedures to document that the

institute, its employees, and council members appointed under this

chapter comply with all laws governing the academic peer review

process and conflicts of interest where applicable.

(b) The institute shall implement the Texas Advanced

Research Plan and continually monitor and revise the plan as

necessary.

Sec. 483.005. LEADERSHIP, STAFF, AND RESOURCES. (a) The

institute is governed by a council of nine members appointed by the

governor.

(b) Members of the council serve staggered six-year terms

with one-third of the members' terms expiring on February 1 of each

odd-numbered year.

(c) The governor shall designate a member as the president

of the council to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the

governor.

(d) The office of the governor shall provide the institute

with necessary staff and resources to perform the institute's

duties under this chapter.

Sec. 483.006. DUTIES OF COUNCIL. (a) The council shall

select the recipients of any grants awarded by the institute.

(b) The council may conduct surveys, research, or

investigations for the purposes of the institute.

Sec. 483.007. MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least

once each year at the call of the president.

Sec. 483.008. FUNDING. (a) The institute may receive

state-appropriated funds for the purpose of supporting the

activities of the institute.

(b) The institute may solicit, accept, and use gifts,

grants, and donations from public and private sources for the

purposes of this chapter, subject only to limitations contained in

the gifts, grants, or donations.

(c) The institute may receive funding in the form of

royalties, license fees, and profits resulting from inventions,

discoveries, and products developed by or in partnership with, or

coordinated through, the institute.

SECTION 2. In appointing the initial members of the council

of the Texas Advanced Research Institute, the governor shall

appoint three members for terms expiring February 1, 2027, three

members for terms expiring February 1, 2029, and three members for

terms expiring February 1, 2031.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.