1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the operation and administration of The University of
 1-3     Texas--Pan American.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 77.15(a), Education Code, is amended to
 1-6     read as follows:
 1-7           (a)  In addition to other powers conferred on the board, the
 1-8     board on behalf of the university may acquire by purchase,
 1-9     exchange, or otherwise any tract or parcel of land in Hidalgo
1-10     County [that is contiguous or adjacent to the main campus of the
1-11     university in Edinburg, Texas].
1-12           SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 77, Education Code, is
1-13     amended by adding Section 77.16 to read as follows:
1-14           Sec. 77.16.  SMALL BUSINESS VIDEO CONFERENCING PILOT PROJECT.
1-15     (a)  The International Trade and Technology Center at the
1-16     university shall develop and implement a video conferencing pilot
1-17     program designed to assist small businesses in establishing
1-18     international trade relationships by allowing the businesses access
1-19     to certain video conferencing facilities for a fee.
1-20           (b)  In developing the project, the center shall:
1-21                 (1)  work with small business development centers
1-22     affiliated with institutions of higher education, as defined by
1-23     Section 61.003, and the General Services Commission;
1-24                 (2)  ensure that the project allows a small business
 2-1     with limited resources to explore trade possibilities with a
 2-2     foreign country before traveling to that country;
 2-3                 (3)  determine the amount of usage fees to be charged
 2-4     participants so that the total amount of fees collected does not
 2-5     exceed the cost of administering the project;
 2-6                 (4)  use available mobile telecommunications
 2-7     facilities; and
 2-8                 (5)  set a timetable to complete the pilot program.
 2-9           (c)  The center may solicit and accept gifts and grants from
2-10     any source to cover the cost of administering the project.
2-11           (d)  Not later than January 15, 2001, the International Trade
2-12     and Technology Center at the university shall submit to the
2-13     governor and the legislature an initial report on the effectiveness
2-14     of the project.  The center shall submit a final report on the
2-15     project to the governor and the legislature not later than January
2-16     15, 2003.
2-17           (e)  This section expires September 1, 2004.
2-18           SECTION 3.  (a)  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
2-19           (b)  The International Trade and Technology Center at The
2-20     University of Texas--Pan American shall establish a pilot project
2-21     as described by Section 77.16, Education Code, as added by this
2-22     Act, not later than January 1, 2000.
2-23           SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the
2-24     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-25     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-26     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-27     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 1874 was passed by the House on May
         4, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 1874 was passed by the Senate on May
         26, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  _____________________
                            Date
                    _____________________
                          Governor