88R13521 CJD-F
By: Lopez of Cameron, et al. H.B. No. 4734
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study evaluating this state's business advantages,
economic climate, and workforce readiness, and a report on
attracting offshore wind energy supply chain industries to this
state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "office" means the
Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office within the office of
the governor.
SECTION 2. STUDY AND REPORT ON OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY SUPPLY
CHAIN COMPETITIVENESS. (a) The office, in collaboration with the
Texas Workforce Commission, shall conduct a study and develop a
report to identify and analyze this state's potential economic and
workforce growth opportunities and challenges related to
attracting offshore wind energy supply chain industries to this
state. The report may include recommendations for further study,
policies, or investments in aspects of the offshore wind energy
supply chain.
(b) In preparing the study, the office may consider and
identify:
(1) discrete segments within the offshore wind energy
supply chain, including advanced manufacturing operations,
specialty component manufacturing, seaport network infrastructure,
shipbuilding, component assembly, transportation and distribution,
and ancillary services for future domestic offshore wind energy
projects;
(2) the estimated number and type of current and
potential offshore wind energy supply chain direct manufacturing
jobs;
(3) potential industry growth and activity in this
state's existing seaport network, advanced manufacturing, energy
production and management, and information technology industries;
(4) the greatest impact investment opportunities to
produce the largest net economic benefit, including identification
of the geographic areas most likely to benefit or to be impacted by
offshore wind energy supply chain industries in this state;
(5) potential benefits to local tax bases;
(6) expected additional contributions to state
economic production;
(7) potential ancillary economic benefits; and
(8) any additional information the office identifies
as relevant.
(c) In conducting the study and preparing the report, the
office may:
(1) conduct an analysis of current resources in this
state compared to the workforce education, training, development,
and recruitment needed to offer a skilled workforce for employers
in the offshore wind energy supply chain industry;
(2) evaluate the potential benefits of and
opportunities to develop regional private sector partnerships with
offshore wind energy supply chain industries to support workforce
development and training;
(3) explore opportunities for partnerships with
neighboring states to undertake complementary actions, policies,
and investments that will help achieve a domestic offshore wind
energy supply chain and workforce;
(4) identify available funding, including resources
from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L.
No. 117-58) and Pub. L. No. 117-169, to support the recruitment and
expansion of offshore wind energy supply chain industries to this
state and related workforce development; and
(5) develop actionable recommendations this state
should take to recruit new, and assist the expansion of existing,
offshore wind energy supply chain industries.
(d) The office may, if necessary and as appropriate, partner
with a nonprofit entity or institution of higher education, as
defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, to conduct the study.
SECTION 3. REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. Not later than December
1, 2024, the office shall submit a report to the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and each member of the legislature that includes the results of the
study and a report of recommendations for legislative or other
action.
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2025.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2023.