Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas House Bill HB1576 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	H.B. No. 1576
	1	+	By: Parker, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Paxton) H.B. No. 1576
	2	+	(In the Senate - Received from the House April 26, 2021;
	3	+	May 6, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Business &
	4	+	Commerce; May 12, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable
	5	+	Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0;
	6	+	May 12, 2021, sent to printer.)
	7	+	Click here to see the committee vote
	8	+	COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 1576 By: Hancock
2	9
3	10
	11	+	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
4	12		AN ACT
5	13		relating to the creation of a work group on blockchain matters
6	14		concerning this state.
7	15		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
8	16		SECTION 1. (a) In this section:
9	17		(1) "Blockchain" includes digital assets, virtual
10	18		currency, and the integration of smart contracts.
11	19		(2) "Work group" means the work group on blockchain
12	20		matters established under this section.
13	21		(b) The work group on blockchain matters is composed of the
14	22		following 16 members:
15	23		(1) one member of the house of representatives
16	24		appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
17	25		(2) one member of the senate appointed by the
18	26		lieutenant governor;
19	27		(3) two members representing institutions of higher
20	28		education appointed by the governor;
21	29		(4) one ex-officio member representing the Department
22	30		of Information Resources appointed by the governor;
23	31		(5) one ex-officio member representing the secretary
24	32		of state appointed by the governor; and
25	33		(6) 10 members of the public, five of whom are
26	34		appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and five of
27	35		whom are appointed by the lieutenant governor, who:
28	36		(A) have knowledge and experience in blockchain
29	37		technology; or
30	38		(B) represent an industry that would benefit from
31	39		the use of blockchain technology.
32	40		(c) The governor shall designate a member of the work group
33	41		appointed under Subsection (b)(3) of this section to serve as chair
34	42		of the work group. The members of the work group appointed under
35	43		Subsections (b)(1) and (2) of this section shall serve as co-vice
36	44		chairs of the work group.
37	45		(d) A member of the work group may not receive compensation
38	46		for serving on the work group but is entitled to reimbursement for
39	47		expenses incurred by the member in the performance of official
40	48		duties as a member of the work group as provided by the General
41	49		Appropriations Act.
42	50		(e) The Department of Information Resources shall provide
43	51		to the work group the administrative support necessary to implement
44	52		this Act.
45	53		(f) The work group shall meet at the call of the chair.
46	54		(g) The work group shall develop a master plan for the
47	55		expansion of the blockchain industry in this state and recommend
48	56		policies and state investments in connection with blockchain
49	57		technology. In developing the master plan, the work group shall:
50	58		(1) identify economic growth and development
51	59		opportunities presented by blockchain technology;
52	60		(2) assess the existing blockchain industry in this
53	61		state;
54	62		(3) review workforce needs and academic programs
55	63		required to build blockchain expertise across all relevant
56	64		industries; and
57	65		(4) make any legislative recommendations that will
58	66		help promote innovation and economic growth by reducing barriers to
59	67		and expediting the expansion of the state's blockchain industry
60	68		based on its findings under Subdivisions (1)-(3) of this
61	69		subsection.
62	70		(h) The chair of the work group may create sub-work groups
63	71		at the chair's discretion for the efficient operation of the work
64	72		group. The chair shall appoint the chair of each sub-work group.
65	73		The chair of a sub-work group may invite other members of the work
66	74		group to serve on the sub-work group. A sub-work group may consult
67	75		with subject matter experts.
68	76		(i) Not later than October 31, 2022, the work group shall
69	77		submit a report that includes the master plan developed under
70	78		Subsection (g) of this section and any findings and recommendations
71	79		from the sub-work groups appointed under Subsection (h) of this
72	80		section to each standing committee of the senate and house of
73	81		representatives with primary jurisdiction over economic
74	82		development or technology issues.
75	83		(j) The work group may adopt rules, procedures, and policies
76	84		as necessary to administer this section and implement the
77	85		responsibilities of the work group.
78	86		(k) This Act expires and the work group is abolished June
79	87		30, 2023.
80	88		SECTION 2. As soon as practicable, but not later than
81	89		October 1, 2021, the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of
82	90		the house of representatives shall appoint the members of the work
83	91		group on blockchain matters established by this Act.
84	92		SECTION 3. Not later than November 1, 2021, the work group
85	93		on blockchain matters shall hold its initial meeting.
86	94		SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
87		-	______________________________ ______________________________
88		-	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
89		-	I certify that H.B. No. 1576 was passed by the House on April
90		-	23, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 126, Nays 20, 2 present, not
91		-	voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
92		-	No. 1576 on May 24, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 135, Nays 10,
93		-	1 present, not voting.
94		-	______________________________
95		-	Chief Clerk of the House
96		-	I certify that H.B. No. 1576 was passed by the Senate, with
97		-	amendments, on May 19, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
98		-	0.
99		-	______________________________
100		-	Secretary of the Senate
101		-	APPROVED: __________________
102		-	Date
103		-	__________________
104		-	Governor
	95	+	* * * * *