1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the use of state research and technology funds on
 1-3     environmental issues in the border region.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 61.0821 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 61.0821.  RESEARCH ON BORDER REGION ENVIRONMENTAL
 1-8     ISSUES.  (a) In this section, "border region" means the  area
 1-9     composed of the counties of Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Brewster,
1-10     Brooks, Cameron, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, El
1-11     Paso, Frio, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells,
1-12     Kenedy, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Kleberg, Live Oak, La Salle,
1-13     Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Nueces, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Reeves,
1-14     San Patricio, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb,
1-15     Willacy, Zapata, and Zavala.
1-16           (b)  The board shall encourage institutions of higher
1-17     education and other entities using state research or technology
1-18     funds to apply those funds to environmental issues in the border
1-19     region to the extent consistent with the authorized use of those
1-20     funds.
1-21           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-22     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-23     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-24     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 2-1     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
 2-2     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
 2-3     passage, and it is so enacted.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 565 was passed by the House on April
         8, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 565 was passed by the Senate on May
         10, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays 0.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  _____________________
                            Date
                    _____________________
                          Governor