SRC-HRD S.B. 811 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 811
By: Truan
International Relations, Trade & Technology
3-16-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

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

As proposed, S.B. 811 to 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

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 51Z, Education Code, by adding Section 51.9125,
as follows: 

Sec. 51.9125.  USE OF TELECONFERENCING FACILITIES TO ASSIST SMALL
BUSINESS.  (a) Requires 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 at reasonable times
when those facilities are not in use for other purposes of the
institution.  Authorizes a small business development center to use those
teleconferencing 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 for the
region in which the institution is located, to consult with that council
to discuss the feasibility of permitting the council to have access to
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.