HBA-SEP, LJP H.B. 323 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 323
By: Oliveira
Economic Development
7/16/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Texas Centers for Border Economic and Enterprise Development (centers) have
been established at Texas A&M International University, The University of
Texas-Pan American, and The University of Texas at El Paso. The centers
develop and maintain an economic database, conduct economic developmental
research and planning, and provide technical assistance to industrial and
governmental entities. Because of Brownsville's proximity to the border and
its economic interdependence with the city of Matamoros and northeastern
Mexico, The University of Texas at Brownsville is in a strategic position
to research and collect data on border affairs.  House Bill 323 creates a
center for border economic and enterprise development at The University of
Texas at Brownsville. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 323 amends the Education Code to require the board of regents of
The University of Texas System (board) to establish a center for border
economic and enterprise development (center) at The University of Texas at
Brownsville at a time determined appropriate by the board.  The bill
authorizes the center to: 

 _develop and manage an economic database concerning the Texas-Mexico
border; 
 
 _ perform economic development planning and research;
 
 _ provide technical assistance to industrial and governmental entities;
 
 _coordinate economic and enterprise development planning activities in
cooperation with other state agencies to ensure that the economic needs of
the Texas-Mexico border are integrated within a comprehensive state
economic development plan; and 
  
 _offer seminars and conduct conferences and other educational programs
concerning the Texas-Mexico border economy and economic and enterprise
development within the state. 
 
The bill authorizes the board to solicit and accept grants, gifts, and
donations to aid in the establishment, maintenance, and operation of the
center. 

The bill requires the center to cooperate fully with similar programs
operated by Texas A&M International University, The University of Texas-Pan
American, The University of Texas at El Paso, and other institutions of
higher education. 

 The bill authorizes, but does not require, the board to establish the
center using appropriations or money available for that purpose.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 13, 2001.