Hot Technology Issues for Federal and State Legislative Agendas in 2009

With the Presidential transition complete and the Texas State Legislature in session, the Technology Business Council (TBC) is actively monitoring and seeking advocacy opportunities on its legislative agenda.

The TBC has developed legislative positions for state and federal policies in 2009 focused on the following issues: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), sustainable technologies, Texas economic development programs for technology projects, patent reform and cancer research funding programs. This spring, the TBC will participate in legislative "Fly-Ins" in Austin and Washington D.C. to ensure the voice of its members is heard.

Below are a few highlights of the issues the TBC is currently tracking:

Federal Issues
Both the House and Senate versions of the latest economic stimulus package, called "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," contain provisions designed to increase funding for renewable energy products. The House version of the legislation would also set aside $11 billion in funding for a "smart grid" electricity transmission system, extend tax credits for wind and solar energy production and spur job creation in sustainability.

In addition, a bill that would reauthorize and increase funding for the SBIR program was recently introduced in the Senate on January 8th. S. 177 would increase allocations for SBIR grants and award levels. It would also provide "special consideration" for energy, security, transportation and water related research projects. For more information on these bills, visit http://thomas.loc.gov.

State Issues
This year, the State Legislature will reauthorize funding for the Emerging Technology Fund and make changes to the fund’s operational procedures. Legislation is expected to be introduced in the Senate that would allocate $200 million in grant awards to be distributed between September 2009 and August 2011. According to the North Texas Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization, North Texas consistently sent 4-5 commercialization deals per quarter in 2008 to ETF Leadership for final funding consideration. We hope to see such success for the greater Dallas region continue in 2009.

Moreover, the State Legislature will consider legislation that would fully fund the Texas Cancer Prevention and Research Institute, specify peer review procedures and set in place more stringent ethics rules among other items.

The TBC will monitor these and other legislative issues during 2009.

Interested in joining the TBC’s Legislative Task Force? Contact Jane Edson at jedson@dallaschamber.org or (214) 712-1937