By: Truan S.B. No. 1040 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT 1-1 relating to programs of institutions of higher education that 1-2 address small business research and development. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is 1-5 amended by adding Section 61.0775 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 61.0775. BUSINESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. (a) The 1-7 board shall conduct a continuing study of the programs and other 1-8 efforts of institutions of higher education to address the needs of 1-9 small businesses in this state for assistance in research, 1-10 development, and prototyping. 1-11 (b) At times the board considers appropriate, the board 1-12 shall make recommendations to appropriate institutions of higher 1-13 education or the legislature on actions that may be taken to 1-14 address the needs of small businesses as described by Subsection 1-15 (a) in the most cost-effective manner, including through the 1-16 participation by institutions of higher education in partnerships, 1-17 ventures, or projects that promote the commercialization of 1-18 technology for or by small businesses. 1-19 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. 1-20 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-21 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-22 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-23 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-1 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.