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.