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.