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.