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.