SRC-PNG C.S.S.B. 976 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 976
76R11670 CAG-FBy: Brown
Economic Development
4/28/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has
backed technology outreach programs in at least one other state, in
accordance with its charter, which states that technologies developed
during space exploration are to be shared with American companies.  For
instance, Florida has developed a Technological Research and Development
Authority, which has been very successful in teaming county economic
development organizations and NASA-Kennedy Space Center to apply NASA and
private aerospace engineering expertise to the challenges of local
businesses, at no cost to the businesses.  Florida officials estimate that
these contributions have saved four companies from closing, and have
protected and created other jobs.  This bill would create a Texas business
technology outreach program to assist businesses in the state in making use
of technology developed by NASA at the University of Houston. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 976 creates a Texas business technology outreach
program to assist businesses in the state in making use of technology
developed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration at the
University of Houston. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the board of regents of the University
of Houston in SECTION 1 (Section 111.42(d), Education Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 111C, Education Code, by adding Section 111.42,
as follows: 

Sec.  111.42.  BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY OUTREACH PROGRAM.   Requires the board
of regents of the University of Houston to develop and establish a business
technology outreach program to assist businesses in this state to make use
of technology developed by the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA).  Requires the board to work with NASA, appropriate
businesses, and economic development organizations in this state to carry
out the program.  Authorizes the board to award grants to economic
development organizations for use in recruiting appropriate businesses for
participation in the program and provide other appropriate assistance to
program participants, from money appropriated to or otherwise under the
control of the board.  Requires the board to appoint an advisory board of
technical advisors to evaluate requests from economic development
organizations and businesses for assistance under the program and advise
the board on distribution of the assistance.  Requires the board to adopt
rules to administer the program, including rules relating to application
and eligibility for grants.  Authorizes the board to enter agreements as
necessary to carry out the program. 

SECTION 2. Provides that before September 1, 2000, the board shall provide
assistance under Section 111.42, Education Code, only in a county with a
population of more than 200,000 that contains, or is contiguous to a county
that contains, a NASA facility.  Authorizes the board to provide assistance
throughout the state, on or after September 1, 2000. 

SECTION 3. Provides that this Act does not make an appropriation.  Provides
that SECTION 1 does not require the board to establish a business
technology outreach program unless money is specifically appropriated to
fund the program. 

 SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Chapter 111C, Education Code, by adding Section 111.42, rather than
amending Chapter 482, Government Code, by adding Section 482.004.  Requires
the board, rather than the Texas Aerospace Commission, to develop and
establish a business technology outreach program to assist businesses in
this state to make use of technology developed by NASA. Authorizes the
board to award grants to economic development organizations for use in
recruiting appropriate businesses for participation in the program and
provide other appropriate assistance to program participants, from money
appropriated to or otherwise under the control of the board, rather than
money in the Texas Aerospace Commission account. Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. 

Makes conforming changes.

SECTION 3. 

Provides that this Act does not make an appropriation.  Provides that
SECTION 1 does not require the board to establish a business technology
outreach program unless money is specifically appropriated to fund the
program.  Redesignates proposed SECTIONS 3 and 4 as SECTIONS 4 and 5.