87R20639 MCF-D
By: Thierry H.B. No. 1923
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1923:
By: Button C.S.H.B. No. 1923
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report by a public institution of higher
education on local and state supply chain disruptions caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic and ERCOT power outages.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus
disease.
(2) "ERCOT power outages" means the sustained power
outages that occurred in February 2021 within the power region of
the Electric Reliability Council of Texas as defined by Section
31.002, Utilities Code.
SECTION 2. STUDY. (a) Using available appropriated funds,
a public institution of higher education selected by the
comptroller, in collaboration with the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, shall conduct a study to identify and evaluate
local and state supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19
pandemic and ERCOT power outages.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2022, the comptroller shall
select the public institution of higher education described by
Subsection (a) of this section, based on proposals submitted in
response to a request for proposals issued by the comptroller.
(c) In conducting the study under this section, the public
institution of higher education selected under Subsection (a) of
this section shall:
(1) assess the overall cost to this state of local and
state supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and
ERCOT power outages;
(2) determine the number of jobs affected by local and
state supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and
ERCOT power outages;
(3) determine the industries most affected by local
and state supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
and ERCOT power outages; and
(4) recommend policies and procedures for maintaining
effective supply chains in future health, power, and economic
crises.
SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2022, the
public institution of higher education selected by the comptroller
under Section 2 of this Act shall prepare and submit to the governor
and the legislature a report containing the results of the study
conducted under Section 2 of this Act and any recommendations for
legislative or other action to aid in this state's recovery from the
COVID-19 pandemic and the ERCOT power outages and prepare for
future health, power, and economic crises.
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2023.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2021.