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.