Texas § GV.483.101 - ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF OFFICE

§ GV.483.101. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF OFFICE

ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE OF OFFICE. (a) The Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office is an office within the office of the governor. (b) The purposes of the office are to: (1) provide strategic leadership for the advanced nuclear reactor system in this state; (2) collaborate with interested stakeholders and state and local leaders to craft a statewide strategic advanced nuclear energy public outreach program; (3) promote the development of advanced nuclear reactors for dispatchable electric generation while creating high-wage advanced manufacturing jobs in this state; (4) lead the transition to a balanced energy future by advancing innovative nuclear energy generation technologies while delivering safe, reliable, and clean energy solutions that address the state's growing demand; (5) enhance the state's energy security, foster economic growth, and ensure the safety of future nuclear energy generation development; (6) identify barriers to the financial viability of nuclear energy generation and regulatory and licensing complexities that increase risk to developers of nuclear energy; (7) leverage the expertise and capacity of institutions of higher education, the nuclear energy industry, the industrial manufacturing sector, and regulatory stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure the development of advanced nuclear energy and associated technologies in this state; and (8) support the development of an advanced nuclear energy supply chain and associated technologies in this state. (c) The office may: (1) subject to Subsection (d), solicit and accept gifts, grants, or loans from and contract with any entity; (2) establish ad hoc advisory committees as necessary to carry out the office's duties under this chapter; and (3) exercise any other power necessary to carry out this chapter. (d) The office may not accept a gift, grant, or loan from or contract with an applicant for or a beneficiary of a grant provided under Subchapter C. (e) The office may not require an advanced nuclear project to be located in a specific location. (f) The office may adopt and enforce rules necessary to carry out this chapter. (g) The office and the utility commission, with the assistance of any other state entity the office or the utility commission determines is necessary, shall conduct a study to identify necessary state regulatory functions related to nuclear energy generation facilities in this state. The office and the utility commission shall submit the study to the legislature not later than December 1, 2026. This subsection expires August 31, 2027. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1067 (H.B. 14 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.