MMA C.S.S.B. 1040 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


HIGHER EDUCATION
C.S.S.B. 1040
By: Truan (Cuellar)
5-8-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND 

In its 1996 interim report, the International Relations, Trade &
Technology Committee found that an effective technology policy should
intentionally create an environment that allows entrepreneurs the freedom
to develop technology and encourage existing industry to adopt and
implement that technology.  However, the committee also found the rate of
success of the transfer of university research to practical production
within Texas to be relatively low.  

PURPOSE

C.S.S.B. 1040 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to
designate an institution of higher education to conduct a continuing study
of the programs and other efforts of institutions of higher education to
address the needs of small businesses in this state for assistance in
research, development, and prototyping. 

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 C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding
Section 61.0775, to read as follows: 
Sec. 61.0775.  BUSINESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.  (a)  Requires the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to designate an institution of
higher education (institution) with appropriate facilities and resources
to conduct a continuing study of the programs and other efforts of
institutions to address the needs of small businesses in this state for
assistance in research, development, and prototyping. 
(b)  Requires the institution conducting the study to make recommendations
on actions that may be taken to address the needs of small businesses as
described by Subsection (a) in the most cost-effective manner, including
through the participation by institutions in partnerships, ventures, or
projects that promote the commercialization of technology for or by small
businesses, when THECB deems appropriate.  Requires THECB to deliver the
recommendations to appropriate institutions and to the legislature. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.S.B. 1040 would require THECB to designate an institution who would
conduct the study, rather than THECB conducting the study themselves as
provided in the original measure. 

C.S.S.B. 1040 would still require THECB to deliver the recommendations of
the study, but instead requires that they be delivered to both, the
appropriate institutions and the legislature.