By Williams                                           H.B. No. 2547
         76R5035 CAG-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 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.  Section 149.005(c), Education Code, is amended to
1-24     read as follows:
 2-1           (c)  The use of state funds is limited to expenditures for
 2-2     basic and applied research and analysis, excluding construction
 2-3     costs [for  construction, operation, or maintenance of facilities].
 2-4           SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the
 2-5     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 2-6     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-7     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 2-8     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
 2-9     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-10     passage, and it is so enacted.