Sec. 481.0066.  AEROSPACE AND AVIATION OFFICE.  (a)  The office shall establish and maintain an aerospace and aviation office.
(b)  The office may hire a director of the aerospace and aviation office and staff as necessary to perform the duties of the aerospace and aviation office under this section.
(c)  The aerospace and aviation office shall encourage economic development in this state by fostering the growth and development of aerospace and aviation industries in Texas.
(d)  The aerospace and aviation office shall:
(1)  analyze space-related and aviation-related research currently conducted in this state and may conduct activities designed to further that research;
(2)  analyze the state's economic position in the aerospace and aviation industries;
(3)  develop short-term and long-term business strategies as part of an industry-specific strategic plan to promote the retention, development, and expansion of aerospace and aviation industry facilities in the state that is consistent with and complementary of the office strategic plan;
(4)  as part of and to further the purposes of the industry-specific strategic plan described by Subdivision (3), develop short-term and long-term policy initiatives or recommend reforms the state may undertake or implement to:
(A)  increase investment in aerospace and aviation activities;
(B)  support the retention, development, and expansion of spaceports in this state;
(C)  identify and encourage educational, economic, and defense-related opportunities for aerospace and aviation activities;
(D)  determine the appropriate level of funding for the spaceport trust fund created under Section 481.0069 and support ongoing projects that have been assisted by the fund, including recommending to the legislature an appropriate funding level for the fund;
(E)  partner with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to foster technological advancement and economic development for spaceport activities by strengthening higher education programs and supporting aerospace activities; and
(F)  partner with the Texas Workforce Commission to support initiatives that address the high technology skills and staff resources needed to better promote the state's efforts in becoming the leading space exploration state in the nation;
(5)  act as a liaison with other state and federal entities with related economic, educational, and defense responsibilities to support the marketing of the state's aerospace and aviation capabilities;
(6)  provide technical support and expertise to the state and to local spaceport authorities regarding aerospace and aviation business matters; and
(7)  be responsible for the promotion and development of spaceports in this state.
(d-1)  Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 690 (H.B. 1515), Sec. 16(1), eff. September 1, 2023.
(d-2)  Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 690 (H.B. 1515), Sec. 16(1), eff. September 1, 2023.
(e)  The governor shall appoint an aerospace and aviation advisory committee consisting of:
(1)  seven qualified members to assist in the state's economic development efforts to recruit and retain aerospace and aviation jobs and investment; and
(2)  one member for each active spaceport development corporation in the state who represents the interests of each respective spaceport development corporation.
(e-1)  The aerospace and aviation advisory committee shall:
(1)  advise the governor on the recruitment and retention of aerospace and aviation jobs and investment;
(2)  assist the office and the aerospace and aviation office in meeting the state's economic development efforts to recruit and retain aerospace and aviation jobs and investment;
(3)  advise the office, the aerospace and aviation office, and the governor on an appropriate funding level for the spaceport trust fund;
(4)  advise the office, the aerospace and aviation office, and the governor on recruitment, retention, and expansion of aerospace and aviation industry activities; and
(5)  collect and disseminate information on federal, state, local, and private community economic development programs that assist or provide loans, grants, or other funding to aerospace and aviation industry activities.
(e-2)  Members of the aerospace and aviation advisory committee:
(1)  shall serve staggered four-year terms; and
(2)  may not receive compensation for serving on the committee.
(f)  Chapter 2110 does not apply to the size, composition, or duration of the aerospace and aviation advisory committee.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 814, Sec. 1.09, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Amended by: 
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 68 (S.B. 458), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 690 (H.B. 1515), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 690 (H.B. 1515), Sec. 16(1), eff. September 1, 2023.