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