SRC-ARR C.S.S.B. 1746 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1746
76R11602 MI-DBy: Jackson
Natural Resources
4/12/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law does not provide for a Texas Environmental Education
Partnership Fund (TEEP fund) and a Texas Environmental Education trust fund
(TEEP trust fund). The Texas Environmental Education Partnership (TEEP) is
a coalition focused on building a framework  for environmental education
for Texas, recognizing the diversity of Texas citizens. C.S.S.B. 1746 would
create the TEEP Fund and TEEP trust fund. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1746 creates the Texas Environmental Education
Partnership Fund and the Texas Environmental Education Partnership trust
fund. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. Defines "board," "participating partner," "TEEP
fund," and "TEEP trust fund." 

SECTION 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP FUND.
Establishes the Texas Environmental Education Partnership Fund (TEEP) and
requires it to operate as a public/private nonprofit education partnership. 

SECTION 3. PURPOSE. Sets forth the purpose of the TEEP to include raising
money from a diversity of resources to pay for certain projects. 

SECTION 4. DESIGNATION OF PARTICIPATING PARTNER. Requires the board of the
TEEP fund (board) to designate one or more public/private partnership
entities as a participating partner to develop and propose environmental
education projects, activities, and programs to receive assistance from the
TEEP fund. Requires a participating partner to represent  a broad spectrum
of public and private interests relating to scientifically based and
balanced environmental and educational concerns.  

SECTION 5. TEEP FUND BOARD. Sets forth the membership of the board. Sets
forth certain requirements of the board, including environmental groups.
Requires the 10 members appointed by the governor to be culturally,
ethnically, and geographically diverse. Authorizes the board to accept
certain gifts for the purpose of this Act. Requires the board to deposit to
the credit of the TEEP trust fund certain gifts accepted by the board under
this subsection.  

SECTION 6. TEEP TRUST FUND. Establishes the TEEP trust fund outside the
treasury to be held by the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company and
administered by the board of the TEEP fund for the benefit of certain
groups. Authorizes money in the fund to be used for certain awards and
reimbursements. Provides that the trust fund consists of donations, gifts,
and grants made available to the TEEP fund for the purpose of this Act.  

SECTION 7. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. Requires the board to adopt  and publish
eligibility criteria  to be considered in making a grant or award of money
from the fund. Requires the criteria adopted by the board to include
certain provisions, including the promoting the protection of environmental
resources..  

SECTION 8. SUNSET PROVISION. Provides that the TEEP fund is subject to
Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Provides that the TEEP
fund expires September 1, 2009, unless continued in existence as provided
by this chapter.  

SECTION 9. APPOINTMENT OF BOARD. Requires the governor, lieutenant
governor, and speaker of the house of representatives to appoint members to
the board as provided by SECTION 5(a) of this Act, as soon as practicable
after the effective date of this Act. Provides that the initial members of
the board are appointed for terms expiring February 1, 2001.  

SECTION 10. Emergency clause.
             Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 3. 

Amends the SECTION to set forth the purpose of the TEEP, to include raising
money from a diversity of resources to pay for certain projects. 

SECTION 4.

Amends the Subsection (b), to require a participating partner to represent
certain interests relating to scientifically based and balanced
environmental and educational concerns.  

SECTION 5.

Amends the SECTION to set forth certain requirements of the board,
including environmental groups. Requires the 10 members appointed by the
governor to be culturally, ethnically, and geographically diverse. Makes
nonsubstantive changes.  

SECTION 7. 

Amends the SECTION to require the criteria adopted by the board to include
certain provisions, including promoting the protection of environmental
resources. 

SECTION 8.

Adds a new SECTION regarding sunset provision. Redesignates existing
SECTIONS accordingly.