SRC-MWN H.B. 3590 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3590 By: Hunter (Van de Putte) Education 5/11/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE The National Geographic Society (society) has offered to establish an endowment fund to support geography education in Texas. While the society maintains control of the endowment, an advisory committee for each state is established to make funding recommendations. H.B. 3590 establishes the Texas Fund for Geography Education under the auspices of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and creates a seven-member advisory committee to propose funding recommendations that would support geographic education programs. 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 Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Subchapter X, as follows: SUBCHAPTER X. TEXAS FUND FOR GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION Sec. 61.941. PURPOSE. Sets forth legislative purpose. Sec. 61.942. DEFINITION. Defines "fund." Sec. 61.943. FUND; GRANTS. (a) Authorizes the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to enter into an agreement with the National Geographic Society of Washington, D.C., to operate an endowment fund for purposes of this subchapter to be known as the Texas Fund for Geography Education. (b) Requires the agreement to include certain conditions. (c) Authorizes the board to transfer to the National Geographic Society for deposit to the fund any amount appropriated to the board for that purpose. (d) Requires the National Geographic Society to award grants from the fund to institutions of higher education and private or independent institutions of higher education as defined by Section 61.003(15) to promote the purposes of this subchapter. Sec. 61.944. GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) Requires the board to appoint an advisory committee consisting of seven persons who have expertise and an interest in geography education to assist the National Geographic Society in awarding grants from the fund under this subchapter. (b) Requires the advisory committee on behalf of the National Geographic Society to solicit proposals from institutions of higher education and private or independent institutions of higher education as defined by Section 61.003(15) for use of proceeds from the fund and to recommend to the society those that best promote the purposes of this subchapter. (c) Provides that the advisory committee is subject to Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees), Government Code. Sec. 61.945. REPORTING. Requires the board, not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, to report to the governor and the legislature certain information. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.