SRC-SLL C.S.S.B. 1518 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 1518 By: Truan International Relations, Trade & Technology 4-3-97 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, Texas does not have an entity dedicated to assist partnerships between private and public entities seeking to develop or disseminate high technology products or concepts. This bill will create the Texas High Technology Partnership at the Houston Advanced Research Center. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1518 creates the Texas High Technology Partnership at the Houston Advanced Research 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. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. Sets forth legislative findings regarding high technology. SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. Amends Title 3H, Education Code, by adding Chapter 150, as follows: CHAPTER 150. TEXAS HIGH TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP Sec. 150.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "center" and "partnership." Sec. 150.002. ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE. Provides that the Texas High Technology Partnership (partnership) is hereby established and sets forth the purpose of the partnership. Sec. 150.003. LOCATION. Requires the partnership to be located at the Houston Advanced Research Center (center), a research consortium which includes certain founding member institutions. Sec. 150.004. ADMINISTRATION. Requires the administration of the partnership to be by the board of directors of the center. Sec. 150.005. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. Authorizes the advisory committee on science and technology (committee), if the governor appoints a committee, to also serve as an advisory committee to the board of directors of the center. Authorizes the advisory committee to suggest to the partnership areas that private and public high technology partnerships should pursue and to be asked by the partnership or the board of directors of the center to review or evaluate proposals submitted to the partnership. Sec. 150.006. FUNDING. Sets forth regulations regarding funding for and by the center. Sec. 150.007. AWARD OF FUNDING. Sets forth regulations for the awarding of grants or funds to private and public partnerships. Sec. 150.008. EXEMPTIONS FROM CERTAIN STATUTES. Provides that the purchasing requirements for goods and services of the General Services Commission, including Subtitle D, Title 10, Government Code, do not apply to the purchase of goods or services by the center under this CHAPTER. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Adds legislative findings regarding high technology. SECTION 2. Amends SECTION 2, to redesignate the proposed language as Chapter 150, Title 3, Education Code, rather than Section 149.006, Education Code. Adds Section 150.001, Education Code, to define "center" and "partnership." Amends Section 150.002, Education Code, formerly designated as proposed Section 149.006(b), to create the partnership, and to delete a reference to the High Technology Partnership Center. Adds Section 150.003, Education Code, to provide the location of the partnership. Adds Section 150.004, Education code, to require the administration of the partnership to be by the board of directors of the center. Amends Section 150.005, Education Code, formerly designated as proposed Section 149.006(c), Education Code, to authorize, rather than require, the advisory committee on science and technology to take certain actions. Makes conforming changes. Adds Section 150.006, Education Code, to provide regulations regarding funding for the partnership. Amends Section 150.007, Education Code, formerly designated as Section 149.006(e), Education Code, to make conforming and nonsubstantive changes. Redesignates Section 149.006(h), Education Code, as Section 150.008, Education Code.