1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the operation of the Geo-Technology Research Institute.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 149.002, Education Code, is amended to
1-5 read as follows:
1-6 Sec. 149.002. GEO-TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE. The
1-7 Geo-Technology Research Institute is located at the center, a
1-8 research consortium that includes The University of Texas at
1-9 Austin, Texas A&M University, Rice University, and the University
1-10 of Houston.
1-11 SECTION 2. Section 149.004, Education Code, is amended to
1-12 read as follows:
1-13 Sec. 149.004. DUTIES. (a) The institute shall conduct basic
1-14 and applied research and analysis in geoscience [geophysics],
1-15 geo-technology, and related fields, including the implementation of
1-16 technological advances and development of integrated databases [to
1-17 discover new reserves and to develop technology that increases the
1-18 production potential of oil and natural gas].
1-19 (b) Results of the research of the institute shall be made
1-20 available to state agencies [the General Land Office, the Railroad
1-21 Commission of Texas], other public bodies and officials, industry,
1-22 and private citizens [groups].
1-23 SECTION 3. Sections 149.005(a) and (c), Education Code, are
1-24 amended to read as follows:
2-1 (a) The institute may receive:
2-2 (1) funds from the federal government or the state
2-3 government, including funds from:
2-4 (A) direct appropriations to the institute;
2-5 (B) an agreement under Chapter 771 or 791,
2-6 Government Code; or
2-7 (C) a contract under Subtitle D, Title 10,
2-8 Government Code, including funds received as a vendor in a
2-9 proprietary purchase made under Section 2155.067, Government Code;
2-10 and
2-11 (2) pledges or gifts from private sources.
2-12 (c) The use of state funds is limited to expenditures for
2-13 basic and applied research and analysis, excluding construction
2-14 costs [for construction, operation, or maintenance of facilities].
2-15 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
2-16 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-17 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-18 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-19 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
2-20 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-21 passage, and it is so enacted.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2547 was passed by the House on May
8, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2547 was passed by the Senate on May
26, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor