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


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 323
By: Oliveira
Economic Development
3/12/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, 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.  C.S.H.B. 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

C.S.H.B. 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 also 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, including
gifts, grants, and donations.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 323 modifies the original by requiring the board of regents of The
University of Texas System (board) to establish the border economic and
enterprise development center at The University of Texas at Brownsville at
the time determined appropriate by the board considering the money
available for that purpose and the best interests of the university, rather
than by January 1, 2002.  The substitute also authorizes the board to
establish the center using appropriations or money available for that
purpose, including gifts, grants, and donations.