89R16169 MLH-F
By: Parker S.B. No. 2827
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment and administration of the Texas
Quantum Initiative.
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 QUANTUM INITIATIVE
Sec. 481.681. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Executive committee" means the executive
committee of the initiative.
(2) "Initiative" means the Texas Quantum Initiative.
(3) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
Sec. 481.682. ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSES. (a) The Texas
Quantum Initiative is established to:
(1) establish and advance this state's position as a
national leader in the quantum industry; and
(2) accelerate the integration of quantum computing,
networking, and sensing technology into the economy of this state.
(b) The purposes of the initiative are to:
(1) leverage the expertise and capacity of regulatory
stakeholders and institutions of higher education and industry to
develop a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure the development of
quantum technologies in this state;
(2) identify obstacles and provide recommendations to
the governor and legislature regarding quantum economic
opportunities and technologies;
(3) provide strategic leadership with respect to
quantum initiatives;
(4) identify and expand opportunities for workforce
training and development related to the research, design, and
manufacturing of quantum computing technology;
(5) support existing quantum computing and networking
industries in this state;
(6) attract new quantum computing and networking
projects and partners to this state;
(7) support the development of a quantum manufacturing
supply chain in this state; and
(8) develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the
state to ensure ongoing quantum leadership, prioritizing
commercial and practical utility, through investments in the
necessary foundational infrastructure, including quantum systems
and networking equipment, jobs and workforce, and real property.
Sec. 481.683. ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT. (a) The
initiative is administratively attached to the office of the
governor.
(b) The office of the governor shall provide the staff and
facilities necessary to assist the initiative in performing the
initiative's duties under this subchapter.
Sec. 481.684. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE COMPOSITION. (a) The
initiative 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;
and
(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives.
(b) In making appointments under Subsection (a), priority
shall be given to individuals from the quantum design and
manufacturing sectors.
(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 the members of the
executive committee include:
(1) at least one representative from a quantum
infrastructure provider who has demonstrated experience in:
(A) implementing quantum networks in similar
settings; and
(B) deploying leading edge quantum computing
systems in third-party data centers; and
(2) at least one representative of a manufacturer of a
quantum computing system with the ability to enable the creation
and deployment of quantum solutions with commercial and practical
use.
(d) An executive committee member serves a two-year term.
An executive committee member may be reappointed for additional
terms.
(e) A vacancy on the executive committee shall be filled by
appointment. The authority that appointed the former member of the
vacant position shall appoint a new member to the vacant position.
(f) Initial executive committee appointments shall be made
by October 1, 2025. This subsection expires December 31, 2025.
Sec. 481.685. 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 demonstrated an
ability to lead and develop academic, commercial, or governmental
partnerships and coalitions.
(c) The executive director may hire staff as necessary to
implement the duties of the initiative under this subchapter.
Sec. 481.686. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The executive
committee shall:
(1) develop and execute a comprehensive statewide
strategic plan to further the purposes of the initiative under
Section 481.682;
(2) solicit recommendations from institutions of
higher education, initiative members, and stakeholders on funding
and research opportunities related to quantum education and
research, design, commercialization, community outreach, and
manufacturing projects;
(3) appoint and determine the salary for an executive
director as hired under Section 481.685;
(4) administer funds, including any funds
appropriated by the legislature or available under Section 481.689,
to support quantum design and manufacturing, capital projects,
supply chain development, and other initiatives; and
(5) prepare and submit the report required by Section
481.688.
Sec. 481.687. STRATEGIC PLAN. (a) The executive committee
shall develop a strategic plan for the promotion of the quantum
economy in this state. The plan must include:
(1) a list of potential projects that further the
goals of the initiative;
(2) a list of federal grant opportunities that are
related to quantum technology and for which institutions in this
state are eligible to apply;
(3) an assessment of the availability of external
funding sources for each project identified under Subdivision (1);
and
(4) any other information the executive committee
determines is relevant to further the initiative's goals.
(b) The executive committee shall submit the strategic plan
required by this section not later than December 31 of each year to
the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house
of representatives.
Sec. 481.688. 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
initiative under Section 481.682;
(2) a summary of the funding and research
opportunities identified by the executive committee;
(3) any legislative recommendations to further the
purposes of the initiative;
(4) any prospective grants or funding the initiative
members expect to apply for or receive; and
(5) any research accomplishments associated with the
initiative.
Sec. 481.689. QUANTUM UNIVERSITY AND BUSINESS INNOVATION
FOR TEXAS FUND. (a) In this section, "fund" means the Quantum
University and Business Innovation for Texas Fund created by this
section.
(b) The Quantum University and Business Innovation for
Texas 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.
(c) Money in the fund may be used to:
(1) provide matching funding to state entities,
including institutions of higher education, for quantum
manufacturing and design projects;
(2) award grants to business entities to encourage
economic development related to quantum manufacturing and design
projects; and
(3) subject to Subsection (d), pay for staff support
services described by Section 481.685(c).
(d) The executive committee shall request approval from the
Legislative Budget Board to use money in the fund for the purpose
described by Subsection (c)(3). A request under this subsection is
considered approved on the 30th day after receipt by the
Legislative Budget Board unless expressly denied.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.