Description

The technology industry drives the global economy and impacts every business sector eliciting the need for policies, legislation, regulation and standards. Given that Texas is one of the largest cyber-states in the nation and the Dallas-Fort Worth region is a leading home for technology based business, education and research opportunities, a clear voice representing business on regulatory and legislative issues is required. The Technology/Life Science Legislative Task Force was formed to provide the appropriate avenue for businesses to watch, evaluate and respond to these needs by creating and promoting succinct position statements on behalf of local businesses.

Mission

The Technology/Life Science Legislative Task Force supports the Dallas/Fort Worth region’s ability to attract and successfully conduct technology based business through a proactive regulatory and legislative review process which promotes awareness, education and business and governmental collaboration.

Guidelines

The Technology/Life Science Legislative Task Force uses the following guidelines to address technology issues of concern for the TBC:

• Issues addressed must be of prime importance to the largest number of North Texas businesses
• The issue must provide demonstrable value for all related businesses and the region’s economy through the establishment of a GDC position
• Consensus must be gained on the issue before a common position can be created & recommended – when a  major conflict ensues, the GDC will remain neutral, not taking a position
• The GDC must be able to affect change through issuance of the position
• Position statements should be pro-businesses and pro-technology development without an adverse affect on GDC member businesses
• Final approval of a recommended position rests with the Greater Dallas Chamber’s Board of Directors, who must approve all policy positions prior to dissemination.

Goals

The Technology/Life Science Legislative Task Force establishes goals which are set and reviewed annually and include:

• Monitor current technology and life science issues for potential impact on business and obtain business input to determine if a GDC position statement is required or necessary
• Develop position statements on issues to be addressed, obtaining GDC board approval for adoption as a chamber position
• Communicate GDC position statements as appropriate through GDC or other available resources
• Maintain an archive of previously addressed issues and the position statements the GDC has taken
• Create a public policy marketing tool for the technology and international issues for the region to be used to increase awareness of the region and Economic Development purposes
• Maintain an active membership having a mix of business, legal and governmental participation with a base of at least 20 members
• Encourage Dallas and Fort Worth businesses to share their technology and life science issues with the premise of establish coordinated comprehensive positions on the issues
• Encourage participation of all industry types in order to foster inclusion of technology issues from every aspect of business and from cross-discipline exchange
• Host at least one event throughout the year that focuses on educating the region on an area of legislation that is impacting the Dallas/Fort Worth region
• Conduct a minimum of quarterly meetings with interim working sessions as necessary