89R15443 SCR-D
By: Morgan H.B. No. 4469
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Texas Advanced Research Institute.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle F, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 483 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 483. TEXAS ADVANCED RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Sec. 483.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Council" means the governing council of the
institute.
(2) "Institute" means the Texas Advanced Research
Institute.
Sec. 483.002. PURPOSES. The Texas Advanced Research
Institute is established in the office of the governor to:
(1) promote advanced research efforts in all
disciplines, including:
(A) energy;
(B) medicine; and
(C) biotechnology;
(2) attract, create, or expand research capabilities
of public or private institutions of higher education and other
public or private entities that will promote a substantial increase
in advanced research and development and in the creation of
inventions and patents in this state;
(3) ensure that this state invests and receives a
return on investment in advanced research and development
commensurate with the size and influence of this state's economy;
and
(4) serve as an intermediary between institutions of
higher education, the private sector, and other stakeholders to
develop the workforce of this state and equip that workforce with
skills and credentials for the jobs and professions of the future,
including technical skills.
Sec. 483.003. SUNSET PROVISION. The Texas Advanced
Research Institute is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act).
Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the
institute is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2037.
Sec. 483.004. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The institute:
(1) may make grants to provide funding to public or
private persons to conduct research and development with the
objective of advancing knowledge, creating intellectual property,
and identifying commercial opportunities to monetize the products
resulting from advanced research and development;
(2) shall coordinate with participating public and
private persons to develop the Texas Advanced Research Plan;
(3) may support institutions of higher education,
advanced research facilities, and collaborations in this state in
all stages in the process of conducting and exploiting advanced
research and development;
(4) may establish the appropriate standards and
oversight bodies to ensure the proper use of funds authorized under
this chapter for advanced research and development;
(5) shall continuously monitor contracts and
agreements authorized by this chapter and ensure that each grant
recipient complies with the terms and conditions of the grant
contract;
(6) shall ensure that all grant proposals comply with
this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter before the
proposals are granted approval; and
(7) shall establish procedures to document that the
institute, its employees, and council members appointed under this
chapter comply with all laws governing the academic peer review
process and conflicts of interest where applicable.
(b) The institute shall implement the Texas Advanced
Research Plan and continually monitor and revise the plan as
necessary.
Sec. 483.005. LEADERSHIP, STAFF, AND RESOURCES. (a) The
institute is governed by a council of nine members appointed by the
governor.
(b) Members of the council serve staggered six-year terms
with one-third of the members' terms expiring on February 1 of each
odd-numbered year.
(c) The governor shall designate a member as the president
of the council to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the
governor.
(d) The office of the governor shall provide the institute
with necessary staff and resources to perform the institute's
duties under this chapter.
Sec. 483.006. DUTIES OF COUNCIL. (a) The council shall
select the recipients of any grants awarded by the institute.
(b) The council may conduct surveys, research, or
investigations for the purposes of the institute.
Sec. 483.007. MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least
once each year at the call of the president.
Sec. 483.008. FUNDING. (a) The institute may receive
state-appropriated funds for the purpose of supporting the
activities of the institute.
(b) The institute may solicit, accept, and use gifts,
grants, and donations from public and private sources for the
purposes of this chapter, subject only to limitations contained in
the gifts, grants, or donations.
(c) The institute may receive funding in the form of
royalties, license fees, and profits resulting from inventions,
discoveries, and products developed by or in partnership with, or
coordinated through, the institute.
SECTION 2. In appointing the initial members of the council
of the Texas Advanced Research Institute, the governor shall
appoint three members for terms expiring February 1, 2027, three
members for terms expiring February 1, 2029, and three members for
terms expiring February 1, 2031.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.