By: Watson S.B. No. 542
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of money from the Texas emerging technology fund
for the research and development of clean energy.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 490, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 490.1027 to read as follows:
Sec. 490.1027. USE OF MONEY FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF
CERTAIN ENERGY-RELATED INITIATIVES. (a) The governor, lieutenant
governor, and speaker of the house of representatives shall ensure
that all the money distributed from the fund for the state fiscal
biennium beginning September 1, 2009, and ending August 31, 2011,
less any amounts awarded for biotechnology, medicine, and life
sciences during the biennium ending August 31, 2009, and less any
amounts necessary to administer the fund under Section 490.055,
will be used as provided by Subchapter D, E, or F for the research
and development of:
(1) low carbon fuels;
(2) low carbon electric generation technologies
including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electricity
storage; and
(3) carbon emissions mitigation strategies.
(b) To the extent of a conflict between this section and
Section 490.302 or another provision of this chapter, this section
controls.
(c) This section expires January 1, 2012.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.