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).