AN ACT 1-1 relating to directing certain higher education research programs to 1-2 address environmental issues affecting the Texas-Mexico border 1-3 region. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Section 142.002, Education Code, is amended to 1-6 read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 142.002. PURPOSE. The advanced research program is 1-8 established to encourage and provide support for basic research 1-9 conducted by faculty members in astronomy, atmospheric science, 1-10 biological and behavioral sciences, chemistry, computer sciences, 1-11 earth sciences, engineering, information science, mathematics, 1-12 material sciences, oceanography, physics, environmental issues 1-13 affecting the Texas-Mexico border region, the reduction of 1-14 industrial, agricultural, and domestic water use, social sciences, 1-15 and related disciplines in eligible institutions. 1-16 SECTION 2. Section 143.003, Education Code, is amended to 1-17 read as follows: 1-18 Sec. 143.003. PRIORITY RESEARCH AREAS. The technology 1-19 program may provide support for faculty members to conduct research 1-20 in areas determined by an advisory panel appointed by the 1-21 coordinating board. Initial research areas shall include: 1-22 agriculture, biotechnology, biomedicine, energy, environment, 1-23 materials science, microelectronics, aerospace, marine science, 1-24 aquaculture, telecommunications, manufacturing science, 2-1 environmental issues affecting the Texas-Mexico border region, the 2-2 reduction of industrial, agricultural, and domestic water use, 2-3 recycling, and related disciplines. The advisory panel may add or 2-4 delete priority research areas as the panel considers warranted. 2-5 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-6 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-7 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-8 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-9 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-10 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-11 passage, and it is so enacted. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 210 passed the Senate on March 18, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 210 passed the House on May 25, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, two present not voting. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor