HBA-TYH S.C.R. 9 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.C.R. 9
By: Ellis
Economic Development
4/21/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In September of 1996, the increasing importance of science and technology
businesses in generating much of the nation's economic growth and job
creation prompted the establishment of the Texas Science and Technology
Council (council) to review the state's science and technology industries,
identify factors critical to their growth, and develop a long-term plan to
encourage science and technology development in Texas. 
 
Science and technology has much influence over the Texas economy.  While
advancements in these fields have helped create new industries in the
state, from computer manufacturing and software development to information
services, biotechnology, and aerospace, many of the state's traditional
industries, including the agriculture, chemicals, and petroleum industries,
have also become heavily dependent on new technologies to boost and improve
production.  These developments have allowed Texas' technology-related
industries to grow at about twice the rate of the state's economy as a
whole and made Texas the nation's leading employer of high technology
workers and the second largest employer in the computer, microelectronics,
and telecommunications industries. 
 
While numerous public and private sector organizations, task forces, and
panels in Texas have promoted science and technology development over the
past decades, their valuable efforts have been short-lived, and none has
developed into a long-term, sustainable organization capable of providing
constant leadership, advice, and direction for the legislature in
particular and for the state's economic development as a whole.  To fill
this need for continuity, the council has recommended the establishment of
a permanent, private sector driven, privately funded Texas Institute of
Science and Technology (institute) to provide this leadership, advice, and
direction and to identify, support, and promote science and
technology-based opportunities for Texas.  Envisioned by the council as a
nonprofit corporation with strong ties to industry, government, and the
education community, the proposed institute would be a public-private
collaborative effort receiving input from the state's key technology
industry sectors and economic subregions to develop statewide technology
initiatives addressing every stage of the technology life cycle, from
research to commercialization. 

S.C.R. 9 endorses the establishment of the Texas Institute of Science and
Technology as an appropriate vehicle for providing leadership in the
identification and promotion of science and technology-based economic
opportunities for the state. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS


S.C.R. 9 endorses the establishment of the Texas Institute of Science and
Technology (institute) as an appropriate vehicle for providing leadership
in the identification and promotion of science and technology-based
economic opportunities for the state. 

Provides that the legislature grant this endorsement with the understanding
that the institute will be wholly privately funded and will not require the
allocation of state resources or assets such as facilities or
infrastructure, except that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
is hereby authorized to work with the private sector participants in the
institute's establishment.