AN ACT
 1-1     relating to the establishment of a video teleconferencing pilot
 1-2     program to assist certain businesses in establishing international
 1-3     trade relationships.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  PILOT PROGRAM.  (a)  The International Trade and
 1-6     Technology Center at The University of Texas--Pan American shall
 1-7     develop and implement a video teleconferencing pilot program
 1-8     designed to assist small businesses in establishing international
 1-9     trade relationships by allowing the businesses access to certain
1-10     video conferencing facilities for a fee.
1-11           (b)  In developing the pilot program, the center shall:
1-12                 (1)  work in conjunction with small business
1-13     development centers affiliated with public or private institutions
1-14     of higher education and the General Services Commission;
1-15                 (2)  ensure that the pilot program is designed to allow
1-16     small businesses with limited resources to explore trade
1-17     possibilities with foreign countries before actually traveling to
1-18     those countries;
1-19                 (3)  determine the amount of the usage fees to be
1-20     charged to participants of the pilot program, which in the
1-21     aggregate may not be more than the amount necessary to cover the
1-22     cost of administering and implementing the pilot program;
1-23                 (4)  use available mobile telecommunications
1-24     facilities; and
 2-1                 (5)  set a timetable to implement and complete the
 2-2     pilot program.
 2-3           (c)  To cover the cost of administering and implementing the
 2-4     pilot program, the center may obtain federal foundation funds
 2-5     available for that purpose or private funds from any source.
 2-6           SECTION 2.  REPORTS.  Not later than January 15, 2001, the
 2-7     International Trade and Technology Center at The University of
 2-8     Texas--Pan American shall submit to the governor and the
 2-9     legislature an initial report concerning the effectiveness of the
2-10     pilot program.  The center shall submit to the governor and the
2-11     legislature a subsequent report not later than January 15, 2003.
2-12           SECTION 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE AND DEADLINES.  (a)  This Act
2-13     takes effect September 1, 1999.
2-14           (b)  The International Trade and Technology Center at The
2-15     University of Texas--Pan American should establish the pilot
2-16     program required by this Act not later than January 1, 2000.
2-17           SECTION 4.  EXPIRATION DATE.  This Act expires September 1,
2-18     2004.
2-19           SECTION 5.  EMERGENCY.  The importance of this legislation
2-20     and the crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-21     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-22     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-23     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 73 passed the Senate on
         April 15, 1999, by a viva-voce vote; and that the Senate concurred
         in House amendment on May 28, 1999, by a viva-voce vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 73 passed the House, with
         amendment, on May 25, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
         Approved:
         _______________________________
                     Date
         _______________________________
                   Governor