HB 5246 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the administration, powers, and duties of the Texas Space Commission and Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium, to other governmental entities regarding aerospace, aviation, and space exploration initiatives and activities, and to the abolishment of the spaceport trust fund.

This bill restructures Texas' space industry governance by updating the Texas Space Commission's duties and creating a new Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium. It directs the aerospace office to analyze state research, develop industry strategies, and partner with education boards to support space-related jobs and infrastructure. The bill abolishes the existing spaceport trust fund and replaces it with a new process for recommending funding levels for spaceport projects. It directly affects Texas' aerospace industry, spaceport operators, and higher education institutions involved in space-related programs.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Apr 7, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 7 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates the Texas Space Commission and related entities to align with modern aerospace terminology and accessibility standards. Key changes include renaming references from 'space' to 'aerospace' in several contexts, adding new provisions for the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium, and modifying sunset dates and appointment procedures.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope to include 'aerospace' alongside 'space' in many contexts and formally establishes the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium as an advisory committee to the board.
DEFINITION

Changed terminology from 'space' to 'aerospace' in multiple sections to broaden the scope of activities covered by the commission.

SCOPE

Added provisions establishing the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium as an advisory committee with specific composition requirements.

TIMELINE

Updated sunset provision dates from September 1, 2032 to September 1, 2033.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for the board to employ a general counsel and chief compliance officer.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified grant eligibility criteria to include broader categories of entities involved in aerospace and aeronautics industries.

FISCAL

Added new provisions allowing grants for establishing space-related facilities and relocating decommissioned assets.

TECHNICAL

Updated digital content accessibility standards to align with WCAG 2.1 requirements.

Floor votes · Senate May 31, 2025 · House May 1, 2025

How they voted

2010
Passed
Total votes 30
May 31, 2025
D Democratic10
2 Yea 8 Nay
80% Nay
R Republican20
18 Yea 2 Nay
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
74
Key actions
22
Committee
14
Amendments
6
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Jun 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
Jun 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
House adopts conference committee report
lower
May 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate adopts conference committee report
upper
May 31, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (20-10)
senate
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
House requests conference committee-reported
upper
May 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
House requests conference committee
lower
May 27, 2025
Introduced
House refuses to concur in Senate amendments
lower
May 24, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
lower
May 24, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendments distributed
lower
May 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate passage as amended reported
lower
May 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
May 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Finance
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
lower
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 1, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (141-1-2)
house
Apr 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Delivery of Government Efficiency
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors