SRC-SEW H.B. 3309 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3309
77R12210 JSA-FBy: Hochberg (Ellis)
State Affairs
5/2/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Texas is recognized as a leading technology state, and the life science
industry has become an increasingly important contributor to the Texas
economy. Currently, Texas exports valuable biotechnologies to other states
that then profit from their commercialization. Of the Texas institutions
that provide life science research, several are centered in Houston's Texas
Medical Center-University Corridor (TMC-University Corridor). Many believe
that Texas will be able to attract and retain more entrepreneurial talent,
leading scientists, and established biotechnology enterprises with the
creation of a biotechnology park. H.B. 3309 creates the Southeast Texas
Biotechnology Park in the TMCUniversity Corridor in Houston.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Title 4F, Government Code, by adding Chapter 488, as
follows: 

CHAPTER 488.  SOUTHEAST TEXAS BIOTECHNOLOGY PARK

Sec. 488.001.  COALITION ESTABLISHMENT.  Establishes the Southeast Texas
Biotechnology Park Coalition (coalition).  Provides that the coalition is
composed of certain entities and established for certain purposes.  

Sec. 488.002.  PURPOSE; LOCATION.  Requires the park to be operated for
certain purposes.  Requires the park to be located in the area of Houston,
Texas, known as the Texas Medical Center. 

Sec. 488.003.  COALITION MEMBERS.  Authorizes the membership of the
coalition to include any interested governmental or private nonprofit
institution, including certain stated institutions.   

Sec. 488.004.  NONPROFIT CORPORATION.  Authorizes the coalition to
establish a nonprofit corporation to develop and operate the park. 

Sec. 488.005.  LAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE.  Authorizes the park to be
developed on land owned by the State of Texas and made available for that
purpose, as well as on land acquired by the state, the nonprofit
corporation, or a member institution for purposes of the park. 
 
Sec. 488.006.  INVESTMENT; FUNDING.  Requires the park to be developed as a
public-private partnership in which both public institutions and private
entities contribute to the development, funding, and operation of the park.
Requires leases producing revenue to state  institutions participating in
the development of the park to be at market rates. 
 
SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or 91 days after adjournment.