88R13813 SHH-D
 
  By: Reynolds H.B. No. 3988
 
 
 
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 482 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 482.  TEXAS ADVANCED RESEARCH INSTITUTE
         Sec. 482.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "institute"
  means the Texas Advanced Research Institute.
         Sec. 482.002.  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. 482.003.  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, 2035.
         Sec. 482.004.  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. 482.005.  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. 482.006.  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. 482.007.  MEETINGS. The council shall meet at least
  once each year at the call of the president.
         Sec. 482.008.  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, 2025, three
  members for terms expiring February 1, 2027, and three members for
  terms expiring February 1, 2029.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.