AN ACT
1-1 relating to the establishment and operation of a regional academic
1-2 health center by The University of Texas System.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Chapter 74, Education Code, is amended by adding
1-5 Subchapter L to read as follows:
1-6 SUBCHAPTER L. LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY
1-7 ACADEMIC HEALTH CENTER
1-8 Sec. 74.611. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH OR PARTICIPATE IN
1-9 CENTER. (a) The board of regents of The University of Texas
1-10 System may establish a regional academic health center serving
1-11 Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties, and may include any
1-12 medical institutions for participation in the program in the
1-13 aforementioned counties, if general revenue funds are specifically
1-14 appropriated by the legislature for that purpose. The center may
1-15 consist of facilities located throughout the region. The board may
1-16 execute and carry out affiliation or coordination agreements with
1-17 any other entity or institution in the region to establish or to
1-18 participate in the establishment or operation of the center, which
1-19 includes all traditional and all other providers of health services
1-20 to the counties listed in this subsection.
1-21 (b) The board of regents may assign responsibility for the
1-22 management of the regional academic health center to any component
1-23 institution or institutions of The University of Texas System. The
2-1 operating costs of the regional academic health center shall be
2-2 paid from operating funds of the component institution and from
2-3 available funds of any other public or private entity.
2-4 (c) The regional academic health center may be used to
2-5 provide undergraduate clinical education, graduate education,
2-6 including residency training programs, or other levels of medical
2-7 education work in the counties identified in Subsection (a) in
2-8 connection with any component institution or institutions of The
2-9 University of Texas System as the board of regents determines
2-10 appropriate.
2-11 Sec. 74.612. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The board of regents may
2-12 accept and administer gifts and grants from any public or private
2-13 person or entity for the use and benefit of the regional academic
2-14 health center.
2-15 Sec. 74.613. FACILITIES. The physical facilities of the
2-16 regional academic health center used in its teaching and research
2-17 programs, including libraries, auditoriums, research facilities,
2-18 and medical education buildings, may be provided by a public or
2-19 private entity. A physical facility may be constructed,
2-20 maintained, or operated with state money appropriated for that
2-21 purpose.
2-22 Sec. 74.614. TEACHING HOSPITAL. A teaching hospital
2-23 considered suitable by the board of regents may be provided by a
2-24 public or private entity. The hospital may not be constructed,
2-25 maintained, or operated with state funds.
3-1 Sec. 74.615. COORDINATING BOARD SUPERVISION. The regional
3-2 academic health center is subject to the continuing supervision of
3-3 the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under Chapter 61 and
3-4 to the rules of the coordinating board adopted under Chapter 61.
3-5 SECTION 2. Not later than May 31, 1998, the Texas Higher
3-6 Education Coordinating Board shall prepare an impact statement
3-7 examining the initial implementation of this Act and shall deliver
3-8 a copy of the statement to the board of regents of The University
3-9 of Texas System and to the chairs of the standing committees of
3-10 each house of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher
3-11 education.
3-12 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
3-13 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
3-14 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-15 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-16 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-17 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
S.B. No. 606
________________________________ ________________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 606 passed the Senate on
April 15, 1997, by a viva-voce vote; May 13, 1997, Senate refused
to concur in House amendment and requested appointment of
Conference Committee; May 14, 1997, House granted request of the
Senate; May 24, 1997, Senate adopted Conference Committee Report by
the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 606 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 7, 1997, by a non-record vote; May 14, 1997,
House granted request of the Senate for appointment of Conference
Committee; May 24, 1997, House adopted Conference Committee Report
by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
________________________________
Date
________________________________
Governor