Parker Quantum Bill Reserves Committee Seats For The Quantum Industry

The text as introduced · 1,175 words

89R16169 MLH-F

By: Parker
S.B. No. 2827

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment and administration of the Texas

Quantum Initiative.

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 QUANTUM INITIATIVE

Sec. 481.681. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Executive committee" means the executive

committee of the initiative.

(2) "Initiative" means the Texas Quantum Initiative.

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

assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.

Sec. 481.682. ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSES. (a) The Texas

Quantum Initiative is established to:

(1) establish and advance this state's position as a

national leader in the quantum industry; and

(2) accelerate the integration of quantum computing,

networking, and sensing technology into the economy of this state.

(b) The purposes of the initiative are to:

(1) leverage the expertise and capacity of regulatory

stakeholders and institutions of higher education and industry to

develop a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure the development of

quantum technologies in this state;

(2) identify obstacles and provide recommendations to

the governor and legislature regarding quantum economic

opportunities and technologies;

(3) provide strategic leadership with respect to

quantum initiatives;

(4) identify and expand opportunities for workforce

training and development related to the research, design, and

manufacturing of quantum computing technology;

(5) support existing quantum computing and networking

industries in this state;

(6) attract new quantum computing and networking

projects and partners to this state;

(7) support the development of a quantum manufacturing

supply chain in this state; and

(8) develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the

state to ensure ongoing quantum leadership, prioritizing

commercial and practical utility, through investments in the

necessary foundational infrastructure, including quantum systems

and networking equipment, jobs and workforce, and real property.

Sec. 481.683. ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT. (a) The

initiative is administratively attached to the office of the

governor.

(b) The office of the governor shall provide the staff and

facilities necessary to assist the initiative in performing the

initiative's duties under this subchapter.

Sec. 481.684. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE COMPOSITION. (a) The

initiative 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;

and

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

of representatives.

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

shall be given to individuals from the quantum design and

manufacturing sectors.

(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 the members of the

executive committee include:

(1) at least one representative from a quantum

infrastructure provider who has demonstrated experience in:

(A) implementing quantum networks in similar

settings; and

(B) deploying leading edge quantum computing

systems in third-party data centers; and

(2) at least one representative of a manufacturer of a

quantum computing system with the ability to enable the creation

and deployment of quantum solutions with commercial and practical

use.

(d) An executive committee member serves a two-year term.

An executive committee member may be reappointed for additional

terms.

(e) A vacancy on the executive committee shall be filled by

appointment. The authority that appointed the former member of the

vacant position shall appoint a new member to the vacant position.

(f) Initial executive committee appointments shall be made

by October 1, 2025. This subsection expires December 31, 2025.

Sec. 481.685. 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 demonstrated an

ability to lead and develop academic, commercial, or governmental

partnerships and coalitions.

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

implement the duties of the initiative under this subchapter.

Sec. 481.686. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The executive

committee shall:

(1) develop and execute a comprehensive statewide

strategic plan to further the purposes of the initiative under

Section 481.682;

(2) solicit recommendations from institutions of

higher education, initiative members, and stakeholders on funding

and research opportunities related to quantum education and

research, design, commercialization, community outreach, and

manufacturing projects;

(3) appoint and determine the salary for an executive

director as hired under Section 481.685;

(4) administer funds, including any funds

appropriated by the legislature or available under Section 481.689,

to support quantum design and manufacturing, capital projects,

supply chain development, and other initiatives; and

(5) prepare and submit the report required by Section

481.688.

Sec. 481.687. STRATEGIC PLAN. (a) The executive committee

shall develop a strategic plan for the promotion of the quantum

economy in this state. The plan must include:

(1) a list of potential projects that further the

goals of the initiative;

(2) a list of federal grant opportunities that are

related to quantum technology and for which institutions in this

state are eligible to apply;

(3) an assessment of the availability of external

funding sources for each project identified under Subdivision (1);

and

(4) any other information the executive committee

determines is relevant to further the initiative's goals.

(b) The executive committee shall submit the strategic plan

required by this section not later than December 31 of each year to

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

of representatives.

Sec. 481.688. 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

initiative under Section 481.682;

(2) a summary of the funding and research

opportunities identified by the executive committee;

(3) any legislative recommendations to further the

purposes of the initiative;

(4) any prospective grants or funding the initiative

members expect to apply for or receive; and

(5) any research accomplishments associated with the

initiative.

Sec. 481.689. QUANTUM UNIVERSITY AND BUSINESS INNOVATION

FOR TEXAS FUND. (a) In this section, "fund" means the Quantum

University and Business Innovation for Texas Fund created by this

section.

(b) The Quantum University and Business Innovation for

Texas 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.

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

(1) provide matching funding to state entities,

including institutions of higher education, for quantum

manufacturing and design projects;

(2) award grants to business entities to encourage

economic development related to quantum manufacturing and design

projects; and

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

services described by Section 481.685(c).

(d) The executive committee shall request approval from the

Legislative Budget Board to use money in the fund for the purpose

described by Subsection (c)(3). A request under this subsection is

considered approved on the 30th day after receipt by the

Legislative Budget Board unless expressly denied.

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