By Solis of Cameron H.B. No. 2030 76R2624 JSA-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to establishing a vice president for economic development 1-3 at state universities. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 51, Education Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 51.355 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 51.355. VICE PRESIDENT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. (a) 1-8 The governing board of each general academic teaching institution 1-9 shall establish an office of vice president for economic 1-10 development under the president of the institution. 1-11 (b) The vice president for economic development shall 1-12 coordinate the institution's programs and activities to ensure 1-13 that, to the extent consistent with the institution's mission and 1-14 legal authority, the institution contributes to the economic 1-15 development of this state and of the communities and regions served 1-16 by the institution and to the economic opportunities available to 1-17 graduates of the institution and to the residents of this state. 1-18 To carry out those duties, the vice president shall: 1-19 (1) ensure that the institution's degree programs and 1-20 course content remain up-to-date and provide knowledge, skills, and 1-21 credentials appropriate for the fields and industries to which they 1-22 are directed and for preparing graduates to contribute to the 1-23 economic and technological progress of this state; 1-24 (2) develop partnerships and other cooperative efforts 2-1 with the private sector to pursue research grants, administer 2-2 research projects, and develop patents, technologies, innovations, 2-3 and strategies that foster economic development; 2-4 (3) facilitate the dissemination of technological 2-5 advances and economic information developed by the institution to 2-6 the private sector; and 2-7 (4) develop strategies by which the institution and 2-8 the private sector can work together to satisfy state and local 2-9 educational needs and to promote economic opportunity. 2-10 (c) The vice president for economic development shall foster 2-11 regular communications between the institution and representatives 2-12 of the private sector in carrying out the vice president's duties. 2-13 SECTION 2. Each general academic teaching institution shall 2-14 establish the position of vice president for economic development 2-15 for the institution not later than January 1, 2000. An institution 2-16 that already employs a person to perform similar functions may 2-17 designate that person as vice president for economic development at 2-18 the institution. 2-19 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-20 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-21 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-22 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-23 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-24 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-25 passage, and it is so enacted.