By Oliveira H.B. No. 565 76R3322 CAG-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 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.