MMA S.B. 811 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


HIGHER EDUCATION
S.B. 811
By: Truan (Rangel)
5-8-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

According to the International Relations, Trade & Technology Committee
Interim Report, the coming century promises to present the world's trading
sector with unprecedented opportunities, challenges and innovative ways to
conduct business.  Emerging telecommunications technologies and the
application of these technologies will play an increasingly important role
in the success of small- and medium-sized businesses.  One of the more
promising new technologies for such businesses interested in international
commerce is video teleconferencing.  Currently, the majority of Texas'
university system schools have these technologies in place.  This bill
would require each Texas institution of higher education that includes or
is affiliated with a small business development center to make its
teleconferencing facilities available to the center.   

PURPOSE

S.B. 811 would require each institution of higher education that includes
or is affiliated with a small business development center to make its
teleconferencing facilities available to the center.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding
Section 51.9125, to read as follows: 
 Sec. 51.9125.  USE OF TELECONFERENCING FACILITIES TO ASSIST SMALL
BUSINESS.  (a) Requires each institution of higher education including or
affiliated with a small business development center to make its
teleconferencing facilities available to the center at times when those
facilities are not in use for other purposes of the institution.
Authorizes a small business development center to use those facilities
when available to assist small businesses in this state to expand their
trade links outside of this state. 
 (b) Requires each institution of higher education that operates
teleconferencing facilities, if requested to do so by the District Export
Council organized by the United States Department of Commerce of the
region in which the institution is located, to consult with that council
to discuss the feasibility of permitting the council to access those
facilities to assist small businesses in this state to expand their trade
links outside of this state. 
 (c) Requires a small business development center or District Export
Council that uses teleconferencing facilities under this section to
reimburse the institution of higher education for the use of the
facilities.  Prohibits the institution from charging the center or council
a higher rate for use of those facilities than it charges any other
person. 
 (d) Defines "institution of higher education."
 (e) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2002.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.