SRC-MKV C.S.S.B. 728 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 728 By: Van de Putte Education 5/1/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE The Special Commission on 21st Century Colleges and Universities strongly recommends increased access to Texas higher education; a seamless educational system from pre-kindergarten through graduate school, enhanced excellence in higher education; and expanded capacity through a balance of new technology and new construction. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recommends that Texas increase the number and diversity of Texans engaged in higher education; increase the graduation rates of students enrolled in Texas higher education programs; and enhance our universities' extramural research activities. To address these recommendations, the University of Texas board of regents, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and the University of Texas at San Antonio examined opportunities for joint and collaborative degree programs, joint research ventures, and other ways in which the two universities could work together to benefit those they serve. These two institutions have made a proposal to link the biological and biomedical resources of their two campuses. 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 75, Education Code, by adding Subchapter C, as follows: SUBCHAPTER C. SAN ANTONIO LIFE SCIENCES INSTITUTE Sec. 75.201. DEFINITIONS. Defines "board," "health science center," "institute," and "university." Sec. 75.202. ESTABLISHMENT. Authorizes the board of regents of The University of Texas System to establish and maintain the San Antonio Life Sciences Institute as a joint partnership of the health sciences center and the university. Sec. 75.203. ROLE AND SCOPE. (a) Requires the institute to specialize in research and teaching in the life sciences. (b) Requires the institute to develop joint degree programs and joint research programs for the health science center and the university. (c) Authorizes the institute to accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source for the purposes of the program. Authorizes the institute to develop or use land, buildings, equipment, facilities, and other improvements in connection with the program. Authorizes the institute to accept any amount authorized to the extent that any funds are appropriated in the General Appropriations Act by the 77th Legislature. (d) Requires the institute to seek private and federal funding to support the operation and management of the institute. Sec. 75.204. OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT. (a) Provides that the administration of the institute is under the direction of the chancellor of The University of Texas System and the board of regents through the presidents of the health and science center and the university. (b) Authorizes the costs of the operation and management of the institute to be paid from money appropriated for that purpose and from other money from any public or private source. Requires the institute to retain all indirect costs received or recovered under a grant or contract. (c) Authorizes the board of regents to make joint appointments of faculty or other personnel to the institute and to either of or both the health science center and the university. Requires the salary of a person receiving a joint appointment to be apportioned on the basis of services rendered. (d) Requires the institute to be located in facilities determined appropriate by the board. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Differs from original bin SECTION 1 by adding a new Subsection (c) to Section 75.203, Education Code, and by redesignating original Subsection (c) as Subsection (d).