Sec. 436.101. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The commission shall advise the governor and the legislature on defense and military issues.

(b) The commission shall meet not less than once each year with the Texas Commanders Council to:

(1) discuss the goals and challenges facing military installations and develop recommendations for improvements;

(2) discuss ways the state can enhance and complement the mission of the military installations in this state; and

(3) discuss services available to assist transitioning military service members and their families.

(c) The commission shall act as the liaison to improve coordination among the Texas Commanders Council and relevant state agencies, including:

(1) the Texas Veterans Commission;

(2) the Veterans' Land Board;

(3) the Public Utility Commission of Texas;

(4) the Office of Public Utility Counsel; and

(5) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

(d) The commission shall:

(1) administer and monitor the implementation of this chapter;

(2) establish criteria and procedures and award grants equitably based on evaluations, giving preference to defense communities that may be adversely affected over positively affected defense communities;

(3) make recommendations regarding:

(A) the development of policies and plans to support the long-term viability and prosperity of the military, active and civilian, in this state, including promoting strategic regional alliances that may extend over state lines; and

(B) the development of methods to assist defense-dependent communities in the design and execution of programs that enhance a community's relationship with military installations and defense-related businesses;

(4) provide information to communities, the legislature, the state's congressional delegation, and state agencies regarding federal actions affecting military installations and missions;

(5) serve as a clearinghouse for:

(A) defense economic adjustment and transition information and activities along with the Texas Business and Community Economic Development Clearinghouse; and

(B) information about:

(i) issues related to the operating costs, missions, and strategic value of federal military installations located in the state;

(ii) employment issues for communities that depend on defense bases and in defense-related businesses; and

(iii) defense strategies and incentive programs that other states are using to maintain, expand, and attract new defense contractors;

(6) provide assistance to communities that have experienced a defense-related closure or realignment;

(7) assist communities in the design and execution of programs that enhance a community's relationship with military installations and defense-related businesses, including regional alliances that may extend over state lines;

(8) assist communities in the retention and recruiting of defense-related businesses, including fostering strategic regional alliances that may extend over state lines;

(9) encourage economic development in this state by fostering the development of industries related to defense affairs; and

(10) advocate for the preservation and expansion of missions of reservists at military installations in the state.

(e) The commission may use an amount equal to not more than two percent of the total amount of grants authorized during each biennium to administer this chapter and other law relating to readjustment of defense communities.

(f) The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this chapter.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 3, eff. May 27, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1160 (H.B. 3302), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 43 (H.B. 2546), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 777 (S.B. 1200), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2013.