The board must run and oversee the commission, hire required staff, and carry out specified promotional, funding, planning, and reporting functions. It may also create committees, make grants, contract, buy or convey property, and enter agreements, subject to stated approvals.
Sec. 482.107. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: AUTHORITY. (a) The board shall: (1) direct the activities of, establish goals for, and provide oversight to the commission; (2) develop and execute a strategic plan in accordance with Section 482.201; (3) establish the appropriate standards and executive bodies to ensure the proper use of funds authorized under this chapter for research and facilities development; (4) identify research and funding opportunities for entities within this state that: (A) strengthen and enhance this state's proven leadership position in civil, commercial, and military aeronautics research and development and space flight infrastructure; (B) enhance the integration of the space and aeronautics industries into this state's economy; and (C) promote and further research involving materials derived from or developed through space exploration and space flight; (5) capitalize, promote, and assist in the development of workforce training to further the development of emerging technologies required for all aspects of space exploration; (6) solicit recommendations from the consortium for projects and opportunities related to the objectives in this chapter that may be funded with money from the fund; (7) market and promote the state as the premier location for space-related industries and promote commission activities; (8) as necessary to promote space-related industries and further commission activities, including implementing the strategic plan developed under Section 482.201, and notwithstanding any other law, issue an order, subject to the approval of the municipality's governing body, to temporarily close in a municipality a highway as defined by Section 221.001, Transportation Code, a venue as defined by Section 334.001, Local Government Code, or an area specified by Section 33.203(11), Natural Resources Code; (9) develop a database that provides information on the promotion of space-related and aeronautics-related economic development in this state; and (10) establish procedures for the commission as necessary to provide administrative and staff support to the consortium. (b) The board shall employ a chief compliance officer to monitor and report to the board regarding compliance with this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter. The chief compliance officer shall ensure that all grant proposals comply with this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter. (b-1) The board shall employ a general counsel to advise the commission and the consortium and perform other duties assigned by the board. (c) The board may: (1) establish ad hoc advisory committees as necessary to carry out the board's duties under this chapter; (2) adopt and use an official seal; (3) solicit and accept gifts, grants, or donations, including donations of goods or services provided in accordance with commission specifications at no cost to the commission; (4) contract with any entity; (5) acquire and convey property or an interest in property; (6) procure insurance and pay premiums on insurance of any type, in accounts, and from insurers as the board considers necessary and advisable to accomplish any of the commission's purposes; (7) make grants to public or private persons with an established presence within this state to encourage economic development related to space and aerospace; (8) make grants to enhance the capacity of institutions of higher education to participate in and support classified research; (9) provide matching funding to external funding provided by relevant federal agencies, private industry, or private research organizations; (10) engage in the planning and implementation of space exploration and spaceflight-related educational opportunities within this state in coordination with the consortium; and (11) subject to the governor's approval, enter into an intergovernmental agreement with another state or the United States, including the United States Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 856 (H.B. 3447), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 952 (H.B. 5246), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2025.