Relating to the establishment of the Task Force on Modernizing Manufacturing.

89(R) HB 4196 - House Committee Report version - Bill Text

89R24588 SCR-F

By: Ordaz

H.B. No. 4196

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4196:

By: Button

C.S.H.B. No. 4196

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the Task Force on Modernizing

Manufacturing.

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.

TASK FORCE ON MODERNIZING MANUFACTURING

Sec.

481.701.

DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "task force"

means the Task Force on Modernizing Manufacturing.

Sec.

481.702.

CREATION OF TASK FORCE; COMPOSITION.

(a)

The

Task Force on Modernizing Manufacturing is established to study the

modernization of manufacturing in this state.

(b) The task force is composed of 15 members, consisting of:

(1)

the executive director of the office or the

executive director's designee; and

(2)

the following members appointed by the governor,

on the recommendation of the executive director of the office or the

executive director's designee:

(A)

two members representing small manufacturers

with an established presence in this state;

(B)

two members representing mid-sized

manufacturers with an established presence in this state;

(C)

two members representing large manufacturers

with an established presence in this state;

(D)

two experts in automation and digital

technologies related to manufacturing;

(E)

one member representing the Texas Workforce

Commission;

(F)

two members representing organized labor in

the manufacturing industry;

(G)

one member representing the Texas Education

Agency;

(H)

one member representing the Texas Higher

Education Coordinating Board; and

(I)

one additional member representing the

office.

(c)

The executive director of the office or the executive

director's designee shall serve as the presiding officer of the

task force.

(d)

The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding

officer.

Sec.

481.703.

DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. (a)

The task force

shall:

(1)

study the current state of manufacturing in this

state, with a focus on the adoption of automation and digital

technologies;

(2)

identify barriers to the adoption of automation

and digital technologies in manufacturing;

(3)

develop recommendations for policies and programs

to support the modernization of manufacturing in this state,

including incentives for the adoption of automation and digital

technologies; and

(4)

evaluate the potential economic effect of

modernizing manufacturing, including job creation and retention,

increased productivity, and competitiveness.

(b)

The task force may establish subcommittees as necessary

to carry out its duties under this subchapter.

Sec.

481.704.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. The office shall

provide the staff and facilities necessary to assist the task force

in performing the task force's duties under this subchapter.

Sec.

481.705.

REPORT. Not later than October 1, 2026, the

task force shall prepare and deliver to the governor, the

lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,

and each standing committee of the legislature with primary

jurisdiction over economic development matters a report on the task

force's findings and recommendations for legislative or other

action.

Sec.

481.706.

EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and

this subchapter expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.