89R14686 SCR-F     By: Ordaz 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 11 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; and                      (F)  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.