76R15097 E
By George H.B. No. 2803
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2803:
By Rangel C.S.H.B. No. 2803
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to a state initiative to encourage research and
1-3 development in biotechnology and biogenetics.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Subtitle H, Title 3, Education Code, is amended
1-6 by adding Chapter 151 to read as follows:
1-7 CHAPTER 151. BIOTECHNOLOGY AND
1-8 BIOGENETICS RESEARCH INITIATIVE
1-9 Sec. 151.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
1-10 (1) "Biotechnology and biogenetics research and
1-11 development" means research and development conducted primarily to
1-12 gain a fuller fundamental knowledge of biotechnology and
1-13 biogenetics for application toward the public good.
1-14 (2) "Board" means the Texas Higher Education
1-15 Coordinating Board.
1-16 (3) "Eligible program" means:
1-17 (A) a research project in biotechnology and
1-18 biogenetics research and development at a medical and dental unit,
1-19 or a medical school as defined by Section 61.501; or
1-20 (B) a research incubator, county research and
1-21 development project, or other initiative that provides
1-22 infrastructure support for a research project described by
1-23 Paragraph (A).
1-24 (4) "Faculty member" means a person employed by a
2-1 medical and dental unit who is:
2-2 (A) tenured or in a tenure track position; or
2-3 (B) a research professional.
2-4 (5) "Initiative" means the biotechnology and
2-5 biogenetics research initiative developed under this chapter.
2-6 (6) "Medical and dental unit" has the meaning assigned
2-7 by Section 61.003.
2-8 Sec. 151.002. PURPOSE. The biotechnology and biogenetics
2-9 research initiative is established to:
2-10 (1) encourage research and development conducted by
2-11 faculty members in biotechnology, biogenetics, and directly related
2-12 disciplines at medical and dental units; and
2-13 (2) facilitate the application of research advances
2-14 for the public good.
2-15 Sec. 151.003. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) An advisory
2-16 committee is established to assist the board in administering this
2-17 chapter. The advisory committee consists of nine members, with
2-18 three members appointed by the governor, three by the lieutenant
2-19 governor, and three by the speaker of the house of representatives.
2-20 Each member serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
2-21 (b) A majority of the members of the advisory committee must
2-22 consist of experts in biotechnology and biogenetics research and
2-23 development.
2-24 Sec. 151.004. ADMINISTRATION OF INITIATIVE; PRIORITIES,
2-25 GUIDELINES, AND PROCEDURES. (a) The board shall administer the
2-26 initiative. The initiative is a process by which eligible programs
2-27 are prioritized and recommended for funding.
3-1 (b) With the assistance of the advisory committee, the board
3-2 shall develop research and development priorities, guidelines, and
3-3 procedures to be used by the board in recommending eligible
3-4 programs for funding.
3-5 (c) The priorities, guidelines, and procedures developed by
3-6 the board must provide for eligible programs to be evaluated based
3-7 on:
3-8 (1) competitive, peer review analysis;
3-9 (2) the amount of biotechnology and biogenetics
3-10 research and development previously conducted by a particular
3-11 medical and dental unit for which the medical and dental unit
3-12 received governmental or private grants, contracts, gifts, or
3-13 endowments; and
3-14 (3) the availability of funds for an eligible program
3-15 from governmental or private sources.
3-16 SECTION 2. Section 382.002, Local Government Code, is
3-17 amended to read as follows:
3-18 Sec. 382.002. PURPOSE. The primary purpose of this chapter
3-19 is to create county research and development authorities to promote
3-20 scientific research and development and commercialization of
3-21 research in affiliation with public and private institutions of
3-22 research, higher education, or health science centers. Research to
3-23 be promoted, developed, and commercialized includes research in:
3-24 (1) recycling processes and recyclable materials; and
3-25 (2) biotechnology and biogenetics.
3-26 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
3-27 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
4-1 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
4-2 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
4-3 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
4-4 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
4-5 passage, and it is so enacted.