89R8345 SCR-D
By: Parker S.B. No. 1105
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy
Authority and a Texas nuclear permitting officer.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 481, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter HH to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER HH. TEXAS ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY AUTHORITY
Sec. 481.701. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Authority" means the Texas Advanced Nuclear
Energy Authority.
(2) "Executive committee" means the executive
committee of the authority.
(3) "Fund" means the Texas Advanced Nuclear Innovation
Fund.
(4) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
Sec. 481.702. ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSES. (a) The Texas
Advanced Nuclear Energy Authority is established to strengthen and
grow the nuclear industry in this state and to enable and accelerate
the integration of advanced nuclear technology into the economy of
this state.
(b) The purposes of the authority are to:
(1) leverage the expertise and capacity of
institutions of higher education, industry, and regulatory
stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure
the development of advanced nuclear energy and technologies in this
state;
(2) identify obstacles and provide recommendations to
the governor and legislature regarding advanced nuclear energy and
technologies;
(3) provide strategic leadership within the advanced
nuclear reactor system in this state;
(4) manage advanced nuclear energy and technology
projects with a goal of interconnection of clean, dispatchable
nuclear power from advanced nuclear reactors to the power grid of
this state by 2035;
(5) support existing advanced nuclear energy
industries in this state and attract new advanced nuclear energy
industry projects and partners to this state;
(6) support the development of an advanced nuclear
energy supply chain in this state; and
(7) implement and build on the policy recommendations
of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group.
Sec. 481.703. ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT. (a) The
authority is administratively attached to the office of the
governor.
(b) The office shall provide the staff and facilities
necessary to assist the authority in performing the authority's
duties under this subchapter.
Sec. 481.704. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE COMPOSITION. (a) The
authority is governed by an executive committee composed of the
following members:
(1) three members appointed by the governor;
(2) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives;
(4) the chancellor of The Texas A&M University System
or the chancellor's designee;
(5) the chancellor of The University of Texas System
or the chancellor's designee;
(6) the president of Abilene Christian University or
the president's designee; and
(7) one nonvoting student ambassador appointed by the
members described by Subdivisions (4), (5), and (6).
(b) In making appointments under Subsection (a), priority
shall be given to individuals with experience in advanced nuclear
energy research, technologies, and production.
(c) In making appointments under Subsection (a), the
governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of
representatives shall coordinate to ensure that at least two
representatives from the advanced nuclear energy industry with an
established presence in this state are appointed to the executive
committee.
Sec. 481.705. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. (a) The executive
committee shall hire an executive director. The executive director
shall perform the duties required by this subchapter and any duty
delegated by the committee.
(b) The executive director must have a demonstrated ability
to lead and develop academic, commercial, military, or governmental
partnerships and coalitions.
(c) The executive director may hire staff as necessary to
implement the duties of the authority under this subchapter.
Sec. 481.706. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The executive
committee shall:
(1) develop and execute a comprehensive statewide
strategic plan to further the objectives of the authority as
established under Section 481.702;
(2) solicit recommendations from stakeholders on
funding and research opportunities related to advanced nuclear
energy research, technologies, and production;
(3) appoint and determine the salary for a nuclear
permitting officer as required by Section 481.707;
(4) administer any funds created by the legislature,
including under Section 481.709, to support advanced nuclear
capital projects, supply chain development, and other initiatives;
and
(5) prepare and submit the report required by Section
481.708.
Sec. 481.707. NUCLEAR PERMITTING OFFICER. (a) The
executive committee shall appoint a nuclear permitting officer.
(b) The nuclear permitting officer must have a demonstrated
familiarity with the permitting and regulatory process in this
state and a developed network of contacts within the government of
this state for the purposes of assisting businesses throughout the
permitting and regulatory process.
(c) The nuclear permitting officer shall:
(1) act as a single point of contact for stakeholders
during the nuclear energy permitting process;
(2) identify active or likely siting opportunities and
required permits and approvals for nuclear energy sites and key
personnel;
(3) provide tailored assistance to help industry
navigate relevant local, state, and federal regulations and
regulatory entities for nuclear facilities; and
(4) share information regarding this state's economic
incentive programs for nuclear energy research and production.
(d) The nuclear permitting officer may enter into
agreements with the office of the governor for staff support
services to facilitate the work of the authority.
Sec. 481.708. BIENNIAL REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
each even-numbered year, the executive committee shall prepare and
submit to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board a written
report that outlines:
(1) activities undertaken to meet the purposes of the
authority under Section 481.702;
(2) a summary of the funding and research
opportunities identified under Section 481.706;
(3) any legislative recommendations to further the
purposes of the authority;
(4) any prospective grants or funding the authority
members expect to apply for or receive; and
(5) any research accomplishments associated with the
authority.
Sec. 481.709. TEXAS ADVANCED NUCLEAR INNOVATION FUND. (a)
The Texas Advanced Nuclear Innovation Fund is created as a
dedicated account within the general revenue fund. The fund
consists of:
(1) gifts, grants, or donations to the fund; and
(2) money from any other source designated by the
legislature.
(b) Money in the fund may be used to:
(1) provide matching funding to state entities,
including institutions of higher education, for advanced nuclear
research and development projects;
(2) award grants to business entities with an
established presence in this state to encourage economic
development related to advanced nuclear energy research,
technologies, and production; and
(3) subject to Subsection (c), pay for staff support
services described by Section 481.707(d).
(c) The authority shall request from the Legislative Budget
Board approval to use money in the fund for the purpose described by
Subsection (b)(3). A request under this subsection shall be
considered approved on the 30th day after receipt by the
Legislative Budget Board unless expressly disapproved.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.