Texas 2025 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB5092 House Committee Report / Bill

Filed 04/25/2025

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                    89R23445 JTZ-F
 By: Tepper H.B. No. 5092
 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 5092:
 By:  Ward Johnson C.S.H.B. No. 5092




 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to the operation and dissolution of the Lubbock Reese
 Redevelopment Authority and to agreements between Texas Tech
 University and the authority.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Section 3501.001, Special District Local Laws
 Code, is amended by adding Subdivisions (5) and (6) to read as
 follows:
 (5)  "Critical infrastructure" has the meaning
 assigned by Section 117.001, Business & Commerce Code.
 (6)  "National security-related technology" means
 technology that is:
 (A)  researched or developed in collaboration
 with Texas Tech University for a use related to national security by
 the United States Department of Defense, the United States
 Department of Defense's component services and agencies, the United
 States Department of Energy, the United States Department of
 Homeland Security, or another collaborating partner in the public
 or private sector; and
 (B)  used in qualified research, as defined by
 Section 151.3182, Tax Code.
 SECTION 2.  Section 3501.003(a), Special District Local Laws
 Code, is amended to read as follows:
 (a)  The purpose of the authority is to:
 (1)  undertake projects necessary or incidental to the
 industrial, commercial, or business development, redevelopment,
 maintenance, and expansion of new and existing businesses on the
 property, now or formerly known as Reese Air Force Base, described
 in Section 3501.002(a), and to research related to national
 security and critical infrastructure conducted on the property,
 including the acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance,
 enhancement, or disposal of:
 (A)  roads, bridges, and rights-of-way;
 (B)  housing;
 (C)  property;
 (D)  police, fire, medical, cultural,
 educational, and research services, equipment, institutions, and
 resources;
 (E)  other community support services;
 (F)  flood control, water, wastewater treatment,
 and all other utility facilities; and
 (G)  other infrastructure improvements;
 (2)  encourage the development of new industry by
 private businesses; [and]
 (3)  encourage financing of projects designated under
 Section 3501.1024; and
 (4)  facilitate the establishment of an applied
 research site in cooperation and collaboration with Texas Tech
 University.
 SECTION 3.  Sections 3501.004(c) and (d), Special District
 Local Laws Code, are amended to read as follows:
 (c)  Tangible personal property that is used primarily to
 develop national security-related technology or critical
 infrastructure technology, tangible personal property that is
 national security-related technology or critical infrastructure
 technology, or a [A] commercial aircraft to be used as an instrument
 of commerce that is under construction or development, as
 applicable, in the authority is presumed to be in interstate,
 international, or foreign commerce and not located in this state
 for longer than a temporary period for purposes of Sections 11.01
 and 21.02, Tax Code.
 (d)  Tangible personal property located in the authority is
 presumed to be in interstate, international, or foreign commerce
 and not located in this state for longer than a temporary period for
 purposes of Sections 11.01 and 21.02, Tax Code, if the owner
 demonstrates to the chief appraiser for the appraisal district in
 which the authority is located that the owner intends to
 incorporate the property into or attach the property to tangible
 personal property described by Subsection (c) or a commercial
 aircraft described by Subsection (c).
 SECTION 4.  Section 3501.005(a), Special District Local Laws
 Code, is amended to read as follows:
 (a)  In this section, "qualifying project" means any real
 estate project involving the construction of:
 (1)  a tenant finish-out or build-to-suit facility for
 a tenant who, through the execution of a lease with the authority,
 pays for or reimburses the authority for the cost of the
 improvements;
 (2)  infrastructure improvements including roads,
 driveways, or utility extensions made in connection with the sale
 or lease of property owned by the authority and for which the
 proceeds of the sale or the lease are used to reimburse the
 authority for the infrastructure improvements; or
 (3)  an income-producing facility that generates
 revenue for the authority and is constructed by:
 (A)  a private developer with special expertise in
 development; or
 (B)  an entity whose purpose is to support the
 research and development of national security-related technology
 or critical infrastructure technology or services in collaboration
 with Texas Tech University.
 SECTION 5.  Section 3501.051, Special District Local Laws
 Code, is amended to read as follows:
 Sec. 3501.051.  COMPOSITION OF BOARD. (a)  The board is
 composed of:
 (1)  six [five] directors appointed in the manner
 provided by Subsection (b) [by the governing body of the City of
 Lubbock from a list of persons recommended by the board under this
 section]; and
 (2)  [one director appointed by the commissioners court
 of Lubbock County from a list of persons recommended by the board
 under this section; and
 [(3)]  the executive director of the South Plains
 Association of Governments.
 (b)  Before the term of an appointed [a] director [appointed
 under Subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2)] expires, the board, in
 consultation with the president of Texas Tech University, or the
 president's designee [City of Lubbock or Lubbock County, as
 applicable, shall recommend to the governing body of the City of
 Lubbock or the commissioners court of Lubbock County, as
 applicable, a list of persons to serve on the succeeding board.
 After reviewing the list of recommendations, the governing body of
 the City of Lubbock or the commissioners court of Lubbock County, as
 applicable], shall appoint a person to serve as a successor
 director [the appropriate number of directors from the recommended
 persons, or request that the board provide additional
 recommendations].
 (c)  The [governing body of the City of Lubbock, the
 commissioners court of Lubbock County, or the] board [, as
 appropriate,] shall make [recommendations and] appointments of
 successor directors to the board so that places on the board are
 occupied by persons with experience in:
 (1)  real estate;
 (2)  finance;
 (3)  manufacturing;
 (4)  agriculture; and
 (5)  national security-related technology or critical
 infrastructure technology [general business].
 SECTION 6.  Section 3501.102(b), Special District Local Laws
 Code, is amended to read as follows:
 (b)  The authority may exercise[, on approval by and in
 coordination with the governor,] any power necessary or convenient
 to accomplish a purpose of this chapter, including the power to:
 (1)  sue and be sued, and plead and be impleaded, in its
 own name;
 (2)  adopt an official seal;
 (3)  adopt and enforce bylaws and rules for the conduct
 of its affairs;
 (4)  acquire, hold, own, and dispose of its revenue,
 income, receipts, and money from any source;
 (5)  select its depository;
 (6)  establish its fiscal year;
 (7)  adopt an annual operating budget for all major
 expenditures before the beginning of the fiscal year;
 (8)  establish a system of accounts for the authority;
 (9)  invest its money in accordance with Chapter 2256,
 Government Code;
 (10)  acquire, hold, own, use, rent, lease, or dispose
 of any property, including a license, patent, right, right-of-way,
 easement, and other interest in property, by purchase, exchange,
 gift, assignment, condemnation, lease, sale, or any other means, to
 perform a duty or to exercise a power under this chapter;
 (11)  manage, operate, or improve that property, to
 perform a duty or to exercise a power under this chapter;
 (12)  sell, assign, lease, encumber, mortgage, or
 otherwise dispose of any base property, or any interest in that
 property, release or relinquish any right, title, claim, lien,
 interest, easement, or demand, however acquired, and,
 notwithstanding any other law, conduct any transaction authorized
 by this subdivision by public or private sale;
 (13)  lease or rent any land, buildings, structures, or
 facilities located on the base property to any person to accomplish
 the purposes of this chapter;
 (14)  request and accept any appropriation, grant,
 allocation, subsidy, guarantee, aid, service, labor, material,
 gift, or money from any source, including the federal government,
 the state, a public agency, and a political subdivision;
 (15)  maintain an office;
 (16)  appoint and determine the duties, tenure,
 qualifications, compensation, and removal of officers, employees,
 agents, professional advisors, and counselors, including financial
 consultants, accountants, attorneys, architects, engineers,
 appraisers, and financing experts, as considered necessary or
 advisable by the board;
 (17)  borrow money as necessary to acquire, improve, or
 operate a facility on the base property, not to exceed the amount
 determined by the board;
 (18)  establish, impose, and collect rents, rates,
 fees, and charges for its facilities and services;
 (19)  exercise the powers Chapter 380, Local Government
 Code, grants to a municipality for expansion of economic
 development and commercial activity;
 (20)  lend money for a purpose authorized by Section
 52-a, Article III, Texas Constitution;
 (21)  authorize by resolution the incorporation of a
 nonprofit airport facility financing corporation in the manner
 provided by Subchapter E, Chapter 22, Transportation Code, for the
 purposes provided by Section 22.152(a), Transportation Code;
 (22)  exercise the powers granted to a local government
 for the financing of facilities to be located on airport property,
 including powers granted by Chapter 22, Transportation Code,
 consistent with the requirements and the purposes of Section 52-a,
 Article III, Texas Constitution;
 (23)  lease, own, and operate an airport and exercise
 the powers granted to municipalities and counties by Chapter 22,
 Transportation Code;
 (24)  lease, own, and operate port facilities for air,
 truck, and rail transportation;
 (25)  provide security for port functions, facilities,
 and operations;
 (26)  cooperate with and participate in programs and
 critical infrastructure and national security efforts of this state
 and the United States Department of Defense, the component services
 and agencies of the United States Department of Defense, the United
 States Department of Energy, the United States Department of
 Homeland Security, or another collaborating partner in the public
 or private sector; [and]
 (27)  participate as a member or partner of a limited
 liability company, a limited liability partnership, or other entity
 organized to finance a project designated as a redevelopment
 project under Section 3501.1024; and
 (28)  enter into interagency agreements with Texas Tech
 University in the manner provided by Chapter 771, Government Code,
 as necessary to:
 (A)  facilitate and support Texas Tech University
 research and development activities on base property; or
 (B)  facilitate the transfer of portions of the
 base property to Texas Tech University to further a purpose of the
 authority.
 SECTION 7.  Subchapter D, Chapter 3501, Special District
 Local Laws Code, is amended to read as follows:
 SUBCHAPTER D.  TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP; DISSOLUTION
 Sec. 3501.151.  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.  (a) The legislature
 intends that the authority transfer ownership of portions of the
 base property to Texas Tech University in a manner authorized by
 this chapter as necessary for the purposes of an agreement
 described by Section 3501.102(b)(28). The agreement may provide
 for the continued operation of the authority after the transfer.
 (b)  The legislature intends that the authority be dissolved
 under Section 3501.152 after conveyance or transfer [and sale] of
 all of the base property.
 Sec. 3501.152.  DISSOLUTION [DUTY TO DISSOLVE]. [(a)] The
 authority may [shall] be dissolved only [on approval of the City of
 Lubbock and Lubbock County]:
 (1)  when the board determines that all the functions
 of the authority are performed and completed; [and]
 (2)  after all debts or obligations have been satisfied
 or retired with the assets of the authority; and
 (3)  after [.
 [(b)  On dissolution,] any remaining real property and other
 assets of the authority have been [shall be] conveyed or
 transferred:
 (A)  to Texas Tech University, if approved by the
 Board of Regents of the Texas Tech University System; or
 (B)  if Texas Tech University declines to accept
 any remaining real property and other assets of the authority, to
 the City of Lubbock [and Lubbock County in proportion to any initial
 contribution of money made].
 SECTION 8.  Subchapter C, Chapter 109, Education Code, is
 amended by adding Section 109.105 to read as follows:
 Sec. 109.105.  APPLIED RESEARCH SITE AT FORMER REESE AIR
 FORCE BASE. A facility transferred to Texas Tech University from
 the Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority under Chapter 3501,
 Special District Local Laws Code, is not required to be included in
 a facilities inventory audit under Subchapter C, Chapter 61, of
 this code and is not subject to the facilities inventory rules of
 the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board until the facility is
 placed in service and assigned an educational and general function
 by the university.
 SECTION 9.  The changes in law made by this Act to Section
 3501.051, Special District Local Laws Code, do not affect the
 entitlement of a member serving on the board of directors of the
 Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority immediately before the
 effective date of this Act to continue to carry out the board's
 functions for the remainder of the member's term.  The change in law
 applies only to a member appointed on or after the effective date of
 this Act.  This Act does not prohibit a person who is a member of the
 board on the effective date of this Act from being reappointed to
 the board if the person has the qualifications required for a member
 under Section 3501.051(c), Special District Local Laws Code, as
 amended by this Act.
 SECTION 10.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.