Candace BarnetteA bill intended to expand national security research in West Texas has cleared the Texas Legislature and received final approval from Gov. Greg Abbott.
House Bill 5092 will expand the Reese Technology Center (RTC) in Lubbock by promoting national security-related technology for federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. The legislation advances a strategic partnership with Texas Tech University, positioning the university as a major player for defense innovation.
The RTC oversees the transformation of the former Reese Air Force Base, which was decommissioned in 1997. After the closure, officials established the Lubbock Reese Redevelopment Authority (LRRA) to redevelop the site for research, technology and educational use. Over the years, the RTC has evolved into a research hub, with Texas Tech leading several advanced technology initiatives on the campus.
Texas Tech has multiple initiatives underway at the RTC. Key projects include developing an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Test Site to protect critical systems from EMP threats, establishing a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) for classified research and advancing pulsed power technologies for defense applications.
HB 5092 strengthens Texas Tech’s role at the RTC. Under the legislation, parts of the former Reese Air Force Base will be transferred from the LRRA to Texas Tech to support research projects. The LRRA’s board will increase from five to six members, and the Texas Tech president must be consulted when appointing new members. If the LRRA is dissolved, any remaining assets will first be offered to the university. If the school declines, assets will go to the city of Lubbock.
Supporters of the bill say it will help turn the former military base into a nationally significant center for defense innovation while driving regional economic growth.
Following the governor’s approval, the bill will take effect Sept. 1.
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