SRC-PNG S.B. 1660 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1660 By: Shapleigh Border Affairs - Special 4/13/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the El Paso/Juarez community faces critical health challenges. In the past, the region has not taken full advantage of the medical school, basic sciences, nursing, pharmacy and other allied health programs spread among more than three different education institutions in the region. This bill would create the Paso del Norte Regional Health Institute to capitalize on locally available resources, talents and skills at the different education institutions in the region. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1660 provides for the establishment and operation of the Paso del Norte Regional Health Institute. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the governing board of the Paso del Norte Regional Health Institute in SECTION 1 (Sec. 151.004, Government Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Title 3H, Education Code, by adding Chapter 151, as follows: CHAPTER 151. PASO DEL NORTE REGIONAL HEALTH INSTITUTE Sec. 151.001. DEFINITION. Defines "institute." Sec. 151.002. ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE. Provides that the Paso del Norte Regional Health Institute (institute) is established in the city of El Paso. Requires the institute to operate in a manner that facilitates and assists the activities of international, national, regional, or local health-related institutions working in the Texas-Mexico border region to perform certain duties. Sec. 151.003. INSTITUTE MEMBERSHIP. Sets forth the composition of the institute with the initial institutions. Authorizes the governing board of the institute to adopt procedures for changing, adding, or deleting entities as members of the institute, as well as forming developmental or advisory boards. Sec. 151.004. ADMINISTRATION. Provides that the governing board of the institute (board) is composed of the chief executive officer of each entity that is a member of the institute of the officer's designee. Provides that the board is responsible for the operation of the institute. Requires the board to adopt rules relating to the operation of the board and the institute. Authorizes the board to employ an executive director of the institute and any other officer or employee necessary for the operation of the institute. Requires the board to meet, at least once a year, to review the progress of the institute and to determine the institute's future actions and operational plans. Sec. 151.005. FUNDING. Authorizes the institute to apply for and accept funds from the federal government or any other public or private entity, in addition to any amount appropriated by the legislature. Authorizes the institute or any member of the institute to solicit and accept pledges, gifts, and endowments from private sources on the institute's behalf. Requires the governing board of the institute to manage and approve disbursements of appropriations, funds, pledges, gifts, and endowments that are the property of the institute. Requires the board to manage any capital improvements constructed, owned or leased, by the institute and any real property acquired by the institute. Sec. 151.006. FACILITIES. Authorizes the physical facilities of the institute used in its research undertakings, provision of health care, and education programs to be provided by a public or private entity, or a cooperative, consortium or joint venture consisting of such entities. Authorizes a physical facility to be constructed, maintained, or operated with funds of the institute, funds as defined in Sec. 151.005, and funds appropriated for that purpose. Authorizes money to be appropriated for construction of a facility in phases such that design, engineering, and site work may be appropriated separately from physical construction costs. Sec. 151.007. RESOURCES. Provides that institute resources, capital and real estate are separate from members resources, capital and real estate. Requires institute members to retain any and all assets and funds received from the federal government or any other public or private entity and to solicit and accept pledges, gifts, and endowments from private sources on their behalf and for their own purposes, but when associated with the institute such purposes cannot be inconsistent with the purposes of the institute. Sec. 151.008. ANNUAL REPORTING. Requires the institute to provide to each member of the board an annual audited financial statement and a status report of each project undertaken by the institute. SECTION 2. Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to prepare an impact statement examining the initial implementation of this Act and deliver a copy of the statement to the chair of each legislative committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education or border health issues. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.