1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the operation, regulation, administration, and
1-3 financing of public institutions of higher education.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 ARTICLE 1. PURCHASING
1-6 SECTION 1.01. Sections 51.9335(a)-(e), Education Code, are
1-7 amended to read as follows:
1-8 (a) An institution of higher education [A medical and dental
1-9 unit] may acquire goods or services by the method that provides the
1-10 best value to the institution [unit], including:
1-11 (1) competitive bidding;
1-12 (2) competitive sealed proposals;
1-13 (3) a catalogue purchase;
1-14 (4) a group purchasing program; or
1-15 (5) an open market contract.
1-16 (b) In determining what is the best value to an institution
1-17 of higher education [a medical and dental unit], the institution
1-18 [unit] shall consider:
1-19 (1) the purchase price;
1-20 (2) the reputation of the vendor and of the vendor's
1-21 goods or services;
1-22 (3) the quality of the vendor's goods or services;
1-23 (4) the extent to which the goods or services meet the
1-24 institution's [unit's] needs;
2-1 (5) the vendor's past relationship with the
2-2 institution [unit];
2-3 (6) the impact on the ability of the institution
2-4 [unit] to comply with laws and rules relating to historically
2-5 underutilized businesses and to the procurement of goods and
2-6 services from persons with disabilities;
2-7 (7) the total long-term cost to the institution [unit]
2-8 of acquiring the vendor's goods or services; [and]
2-9 (8) any other relevant factor that a private business
2-10 entity would consider in selecting a vendor; and
2-11 (9) the use of material in construction or repair to
2-12 real property that is not proprietary to a single vendor unless the
2-13 institution provides written justification in the request for bids
2-14 for use of the unique material specified.
2-15 (c) The state auditor may audit purchases of goods or
2-16 services by an institution of higher education or by a component of
2-17 an institution of higher education that purchases goods and
2-18 services [a medical and dental unit].
2-19 (d) To the extent of any conflict, this section prevails
2-20 over any other law, including Chapters 2155, 2156, 2157, 2158,
2-21 2167, and 2170, Government Code, except a law or rule relating to
2-22 contracting with historically underutilized businesses or relating
2-23 to the procurement of goods and services from persons with
2-24 disabilities. An institution of higher education may, but is not
2-25 required to, acquire goods or services as provided by Chapters
2-26 2155, 2156, 2157, 2158, 2167, and 2170, Government Code.
2-27 (e) In this section, "institution of higher education"
3-1 ["medical and dental unit"] has the meaning assigned by Section
3-2 61.003 and includes a school of veterinary medicine and a health
3-3 care facility operated by a medical and dental unit, except that
3-4 the term does not include The University of Texas M. D. Anderson
3-5 Cancer Center or a public junior college.
3-6 SECTION 1.02. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
3-7 amended by adding Section 51.966 to read as follows:
3-8 Sec. 51.966. INSURANCE COVERAGE. (a) The governing board
3-9 of an institution of higher education may purchase insurance
3-10 insuring the institution and its employees against any liability,
3-11 risk, or exposure and covering the losses of any institutional
3-12 property.
3-13 (b) The governing board may pay the cost of any insurance
3-14 from any funds of the institution.
3-15 (c) As used in this section, "governing board" and
3-16 "institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by
3-17 Section 61.003.
3-18 SECTION 1.03. Subchapter B, Chapter 497, Government Code, is
3-19 amended by adding Section 497.0211 to read as follows:
3-20 Sec. 497.0211. EXCEPTION: INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
3-21 This subchapter does not apply to an institution of higher
3-22 education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
3-23 SECTION 1.04. Section 2155.067(b), Government Code, is
3-24 amended to read as follows:
3-25 (b) The agency head or the presiding officer of the agency's
3-26 governing body must sign the written justification. [For an
3-27 institution of higher education, the individual designated by the
4-1 president or governing body as purchasing officer for the
4-2 institution may sign the written justification.]
4-3 SECTION 1.05. Section 2155.268(a), Government Code, is
4-4 amended to read as follows:
4-5 (a) A state agency may not maintain and use its own bidders
4-6 list. The prohibition of this subsection does not apply to the
4-7 Texas Department of Transportation [or to an institution of higher
4-8 education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, but an
4-9 institution of higher education should use the master bidders list
4-10 when possible].
4-11 SECTION 1.06. Sections 2155.133, 2155.134, and 2155.135,
4-12 Government Code, are repealed.
4-13 ARTICLE 2. HUMAN RESOURCES
4-14 SECTION 2.01. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
4-15 amended by adding Section 51.961 to read as follows:
4-16 Sec. 51.961. LEAVE PROVISIONS FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES OF
4-17 UNIVERSITY SYSTEM. (a) In this section:
4-18 (1) "Governing board," "medical and dental unit," and
4-19 "university system" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.
4-20 (2) "Leave" includes vacation leave, sick leave, and
4-21 holidays.
4-22 (b) The governing board of a university system may adopt a
4-23 comprehensive leave policy that applies to employees working in a
4-24 hospital or clinic of a medical and dental unit of the university
4-25 system.
4-26 (c) A policy adopted under this section may combine
4-27 vacation, sick, and holiday leave into a paid leave system that
5-1 does not distinguish or separate the types of leave to be awarded
5-2 and may award leave in an amount determined by the governing board
5-3 to be appropriate and cost-effective.
5-4 (d) Chapters 661 and 662, Government Code, do not apply to
5-5 employees covered by a policy adopted under this section. The
5-6 policy must include provisions addressing the subject matter of
5-7 each subchapter of Chapters 661 and 662, Government Code, and the
5-8 intended effect of the policy on the rights, duties, and
5-9 responsibilities of employees and the employing entity under those
5-10 subchapters.
5-11 (e) A policy adopted under this section must include
5-12 provisions for:
5-13 (1) payment for accrued leave to:
5-14 (A) the estates or heirs of deceased employees;
5-15 (B) employees separating from the employing
5-16 entity; and
5-17 (C) contributing members of state retirement
5-18 systems who retire; and
5-19 (2) awards of accrued leave to employees separating
5-20 from the employing entity who are to be employed by other state
5-21 agencies or institutions of higher education.
5-22 (f) A policy authorized by this section may include other
5-23 matters as determined relevant and appropriate by the governing
5-24 board.
5-25 (g) A policy authorized by this section must be adopted by a
5-26 governing board in an open meeting of the board.
5-27 (h) Before implementing a policy adopted under this section,
6-1 the governing board shall make reasonable efforts to enter into a
6-2 memorandum of understanding with the office of the state auditor,
6-3 the Employees Retirement System of Texas, and the Texas Higher
6-4 Education Coordinating Board concerning awards of accrued leave for
6-5 the purposes of retirement and other issues of concern related to
6-6 the implementation of the policy.
6-7 (i) On or after September 15, 2005, the governing board of
6-8 an institution of higher education may adopt a leave policy as
6-9 provided by this section for employees of the institution.
6-10 SECTION 2.02. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
6-11 amended by adding Section 51.962 to read as follows:
6-12 Sec. 51.962. MERIT SALARY INCREASES. (a) An institution of
6-13 higher education as defined by Section 61.003 may grant merit
6-14 salary increases, including one-time merit payments, to employees
6-15 described by this section.
6-16 (b) A merit salary increase made under this section is
6-17 compensation for purposes of Chapter 659, Government Code, and
6-18 salary and wages and member compensation for purposes of Title 8,
6-19 Government Code.
6-20 (c) An institution of higher education may pay merit salary
6-21 increases under this section from any funds.
6-22 (d) Before awarding a merit salary increase under this
6-23 section, an institution of higher education must adopt criteria for
6-24 the granting of merit salary increases.
6-25 (e) To be eligible for a merit salary increase under this
6-26 section, an employee must have been employed by the institution of
6-27 higher education for the six months immediately preceding the
7-1 effective date of the increase and at least six months must have
7-2 elapsed since the employee's last merit salary increase.
7-3 SECTION 2.03. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
7-4 amended by adding Section 51.963 to read as follows:
7-5 Sec. 51.963. EMPLOYEE WITH MULTIPLE APPOINTMENTS. A
7-6 full-time employee of an institution of higher education as defined
7-7 by Section 61.003 who has appointments to more than one position at
7-8 the same institution may receive pay for working more than 40 hours
7-9 in a week if the institution determines that pay in lieu of
7-10 compensatory time is in the best interests of the institution.
7-11 SECTION 2.04. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
7-12 amended by adding Section 51.964 to read as follows:
7-13 Sec. 51.964. HIRING OF CERTAIN RETIREES. (a) An
7-14 institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003 may
7-15 employ a person who has retired under the Teacher Retirement System
7-16 (Subtitle C, Title 8, Government Code) or the optional retirement
7-17 program (Chapter 830, Government Code) if:
7-18 (1) the governing board of the institution determines
7-19 that the employment is in the best interests of the institution;
7-20 and
7-21 (2) the person has been retired for at least one
7-22 calendar year before the effective date of the employment, except
7-23 that a person retired under the optional retirement program may be
7-24 rehired after retirement without a break in service.
7-25 (b) The governing board may pay a person employed under this
7-26 section an amount considered by the governing board to be
7-27 appropriate, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
8-1 SECTION 2.05. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
8-2 amended by adding Section 51.965 to read as follows:
8-3 Sec. 51.965. EMPLOYEE NOTIFICATION. (a) If a state law
8-4 requires an institution of higher education as defined by Section
8-5 61.003 to provide written notification to its officers or employees
8-6 of any requirement, right, duty, or responsibility provided by
8-7 state law, the institution may provide the notification by use of
8-8 electronic media.
8-9 (b) An institution of higher education may adopt rules and
8-10 guidelines to ensure that notification provided by electronic media
8-11 under this section is effective and that any required notification
8-12 is provided to officers and employees who do not have access to
8-13 electronic media.
8-14 SECTION 2.06. Section 661.062(a), Government Code, is
8-15 amended to read as follows:
8-16 (a) A state employee who, at any time during the employee's
8-17 lifetime, has accrued six months of continuous state employment and
8-18 who resigns, is dismissed, or otherwise separates from state
8-19 employment by a state agency other than an institution of higher
8-20 education is entitled to be paid for the accrued balance of the
8-21 employee's vacation time as of the date of separation, if the
8-22 individual is not reemployed by the state in a position under which
8-23 the employee accrues vacation leave during the 30-day period
8-24 immediately following the date of separation from state employment.
8-25 A state employee who, at any time during the employee's lifetime,
8-26 has accrued six months of continuous state employment and who
8-27 resigns, is dismissed, or otherwise separates from state employment
9-1 by an institution of higher education is entitled to be paid for
9-2 the accrued balance of the employee's vacation time as of the date
9-3 of separation.
9-4 SECTION 2.07. The heading to Subchapter J, Chapter 659,
9-5 Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
9-6 SUBCHAPTER J. PAYROLL REDUCTION OR DEDUCTION FOR CERTAIN
9-7 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS [OF PARKING FEES AND PERMITS]
9-8 AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
9-9 SECTION 2.08. Section 659.202, Government Code, is amended
9-10 to read as follows:
9-11 Sec. 659.202. PAYROLL REDUCTION OR DEDUCTION AUTHORIZED; USE
9-12 OF FUNDS. (a) An employee of an institution of higher education
9-13 may authorize in writing a reduction [deduction] each pay period
9-14 from the employee's salary or wage payment for the payment of any
9-15 fee or charge for parking, a parking permit, a transportation pass,
9-16 or other qualified transportation benefit authorized under Section
9-17 132(f), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended [parking fees
9-18 charged by the institution of higher education or for the purchase
9-19 of a parking permit from an institution of higher education]. An
9-20 authorization for a reduction [deduction] under this subchapter by
9-21 the employee must be [is] voluntary. The institution shall
9-22 determine which fee or charge an employee may pay under this
9-23 subsection.
9-24 (b) An employee of an institution of higher education may
9-25 authorize in writing a deduction each pay period from the
9-26 employee's salary or wage payment for the payment of any fee or
9-27 charge for parking or for a club membership, recreational sports
10-1 membership, or similar activity or program. An authorization for a
10-2 deduction under this subchapter by the employee must be voluntary.
10-3 The institution shall determine which fee or charge an employee may
10-4 pay under this subsection. [Funds collected under this section may
10-5 be used only to provide parking facilities for employees of the
10-6 institution.]
10-7 SECTION 2.09. Subchapter J, Chapter 659, Government Code, is
10-8 amended by adding Section 659.205 to read as follows:
10-9 Sec. 659.205. STATUS OF DEDUCTION OR SALARY REDUCTION.
10-10 (a) If so designated by the employing institution of higher
10-11 education, a salary deduction made by an employee under this
10-12 subchapter shall be considered compensation under this chapter and
10-13 salary and wages and member compensation under Title 8.
10-14 (b) If authorized by federal law, a salary deduction or
10-15 salary reduction under this subchapter may be made on a pretax
10-16 basis.
10-17 SECTION 2.10. Section 822.201(b), Government Code, is
10-18 amended to read as follows:
10-19 (b) "Salary and wages" as used in Subsection (a) means:
10-20 (1) normal periodic payments of money for service the
10-21 right to which accrues on a regular basis in proportion to the
10-22 service performed;
10-23 (2) amounts by which the member's salary is reduced
10-24 under a salary reduction agreement authorized by Chapter 610;
10-25 (3) amounts that would otherwise qualify as salary and
10-26 wages under Subdivision (1) but are not received directly by the
10-27 member pursuant to a good faith, voluntary written salary reduction
11-1 agreement in order to finance payments to a deferred compensation
11-2 or tax sheltered annuity program specifically authorized by state
11-3 law or to finance benefit options under a cafeteria plan qualifying
11-4 under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C.
11-5 Section 125), if:
11-6 (A) the program or benefit options are made
11-7 available to all employees of the employer; and
11-8 (B) the benefit options in the cafeteria plan
11-9 are limited to one or more options that provide deferred
11-10 compensation, group health and disability insurance, group term
11-11 life insurance, dependent care assistance programs, or group legal
11-12 services plans;
11-13 (4) performance pay awarded to an employee by a school
11-14 district as part of a total compensation plan approved by the board
11-15 of trustees of the district and meeting the requirements of
11-16 Subsection (e); [and]
11-17 (5) the benefit replacement pay a person earns under
11-18 Subchapter H, Chapter 659, as added by Chapter 417, Acts of the
11-19 74th Legislature, 1995, except as provided by Subsection (c); [and]
11-20 (6) stipends paid to teachers in accordance with
11-21 Section 21.410, Education Code;
11-22 (7) amounts by which the member's salary is reduced or
11-23 that are deducted from the member's salary as authorized by
11-24 Subchapter J, Chapter 659; and
11-25 (8) a merit salary increase made under Section 51.962,
11-26 Education Code.
11-27 SECTION 2.11. Section 658.001, Government Code, is amended
12-1 to read as follows:
12-2 Sec. 658.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
12-3 (1) "Full-time state employee" means a person employed
12-4 by a state agency who, if not participating in a voluntary work
12-5 reduction program under Section 658.003, is required to work for
12-6 the agency not less than 40 hours a week.
12-7 (2) "State agency" means:
12-8 (A) a board, commission, department,
12-9 institution, office, or other agency in the executive branch of
12-10 state government that is created by the constitution or a statute
12-11 of this state, including an institution of higher education as
12-12 defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, other than a public
12-13 junior college; or
12-14 (B) the Supreme Court of Texas, the Texas Court
12-15 of Criminal Appeals, a court of appeals, or other agency in the
12-16 judicial branch.
12-17 SECTION 2.12. Section 659.002(b), Government Code, is
12-18 amended to read as follows:
12-19 (b) In this section "state agency" means:
12-20 (1) a board, commission, department, office, or other
12-21 agency that is in the executive branch of state government and that
12-22 was created by the constitution or a statute of this state,
12-23 including an institution of higher education as defined by Section
12-24 61.003, Education Code, other than a public junior college;
12-25 (2) the legislature or a legislative agency; or
12-26 (3) the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals,
12-27 a court of appeals, the state bar, or another state judicial
13-1 agency.
13-2 SECTION 2.13. Chapter 661, Government Code, is amended by
13-3 adding Section 661.915 to read as follows:
13-4 Sec. 661.915. APPLICABILITY TO JUNIOR COLLEGES. The
13-5 provisions of this chapter do not apply to a public junior college
13-6 as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
13-7 ARTICLE 3. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
13-8 SECTION 3.01. Section 74.103, Education Code, is amended to
13-9 read as follows:
13-10 Sec. 74.103. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The board may accept and
13-11 administer, on terms and conditions satisfactory to it, grants and
13-12 gifts tendered to it in aid of research and teaching at the medical
13-13 school. The board may also accept from the federal government or
13-14 any foundation, trust fund, corporation, or individual donations,
13-15 gifts, and grants, including real estate, buildings, libraries,
13-16 laboratories, apparatus, equipment, records, and leases, for the
13-17 exclusive use and benefit of the medical school. [Before
13-18 acceptance of gifts, grants, and donations of real property, the
13-19 board shall secure the opinion of the attorney general on the title
13-20 of the real property to be conveyed.]
13-21 SECTION 3.02. Section 74.153, Education Code, is amended to
13-22 read as follows:
13-23 Sec. 74.153. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The board may accept and
13-24 administer, on terms and conditions satisfactory to it, grants and
13-25 gifts tendered to it in aid of research and teaching at the medical
13-26 school. The board may also accept from the federal government, any
13-27 foundation, trust fund, corporation, or individual donations,
14-1 gifts, and grants, including real estate, buildings, libraries,
14-2 laboratories, apparatus, equipment, records, and money, for the
14-3 exclusive use and benefit of the medical school. [Before
14-4 acceptance of gifts, grants, and donations of real property, the
14-5 board shall secure the opinion of the attorney general on the title
14-6 of the real property to be conveyed.]
14-7 SECTION 3.03. Section 2251.026, Government Code, is amended
14-8 by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
14-9 (g) No interest accrues or may be paid under this section on
14-10 a payment if the total amount of interest that would otherwise have
14-11 accrued is equal to or less than $5 and the payment is made from
14-12 the institutional funds of an institution of higher education as
14-13 defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
14-14 SECTION 3.04. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
14-15 amended by adding Section 51.967 to read as follows:
14-16 Sec. 51.967. LIMITATION ON EDUCATIONAL DEBT. No statute of
14-17 limitations shall apply to a lawsuit, to the enforcement of a
14-18 judgment, or to any other legal action to collect an educational
14-19 debt owed to an institution of higher education or to the Texas
14-20 Higher Education Coordinating Board.
14-21 SECTION 3.05. The change in law made by this article to
14-22 Section 2251.026, Government Code, applies only to interest on a
14-23 payment by an institution of higher education that becomes overdue
14-24 under Chapter 2251, Government Code, on or after the effective date
14-25 of this Act. Interest on a payment by an institution of higher
14-26 education that becomes overdue under Chapter 2251, Government Code,
14-27 before that date is governed by Section 2251.026, Government Code,
15-1 as that section exists on the date the payment becomes overdue, and
15-2 the prior law is continued in effect for that purpose.
15-3 SECTION 3.06. Section 66.08(h), Education Code, is amended
15-4 to read as follows:
15-5 (h) The corporation:
15-6 (1) is subject to the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act
15-7 (Article 1396-1.01 et seq., Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes); and
15-8 (2) is subject to the provisions of Chapter 551,
15-9 Government Code (the open meetings law), that apply to the board of
15-10 regents of The University of Texas System, except that the board of
15-11 directors of the corporation:
15-12 (A) may discuss an investment or potential
15-13 investment with one or more employees of the corporation or with a
15-14 third party to the extent permitted to the board of trustees of the
15-15 Texas growth fund under Section 551.075, Government Code; and
15-16 (B) is not subject to Section 551.121 or Section
15-17 551.125, Government Code, rather any director of the corporation
15-18 may attend any meeting of the board of directors by telephone
15-19 conference call provided that the telephone conference is audible
15-20 to the public at the meeting location specified in the notice of
15-21 the meeting during each part of the meeting that is required to be
15-22 open to the public.
15-23 ARTICLE 4. REPORTING
15-24 SECTION 4.01. Section 2166.101, Government Code, is amended
15-25 by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
15-26 (f) If information to be obtained from an institution of
15-27 higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, for
16-1 inclusion in the report is also included in another report to be
16-2 made by the institution of higher education to another state
16-3 agency, the commission, the agency receiving the other report, and
16-4 the institution of higher education shall enter into a memorandum
16-5 of understanding concerning the information to be reported in order
16-6 to enable the institution of higher education to provide the
16-7 required information in the most cost-effective manner taking into
16-8 account the costs to each affected agency. This subsection does
16-9 not limit the authority of the state auditor to request and receive
16-10 information directly from an institution of higher education.
16-11 SECTION 4.02. Section 2167.005, Government Code, is amended
16-12 by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
16-13 (c) If information to be included in the report is also
16-14 included in another report to be made by the institution of higher
16-15 education to another state agency, the commission, the agency
16-16 receiving the other report, and the institution of higher education
16-17 shall enter into a memorandum of understanding concerning the
16-18 information to be reported in order to enable the institution of
16-19 higher education to provide the required information in the most
16-20 cost-effective manner taking into account the costs to each
16-21 affected agency.
16-22 ARTICLE 5. STRATEGIC PLANNING
16-23 SECTION 5.01. Section 2056.001, Government Code, is amended
16-24 to read as follows:
16-25 Sec. 2056.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "state agency"
16-26 means a department, board, commission, or other entity of state
16-27 government, other than [including] a university system or [and] an
17-1 institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003,
17-2 Education Code, that:
17-3 (1) has authority that is not limited to a
17-4 geographical portion of the state;
17-5 (2) was created by the constitution or a state statute
17-6 with an ongoing mission and responsibilities;
17-7 (3) is not the office of the governor or lieutenant
17-8 governor;
17-9 (4) is not within the judicial or legislative branch
17-10 of government; and
17-11 (5) is not a committee created under state law whose
17-12 primary function is to advise an agency[; and]
17-13 [(6) is not a state-funded junior or community
17-14 college].
17-15 ARTICLE 6. OTHER FINANCIAL MATTERS
17-16 SECTION 6.01. Subchapter E, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
17-17 amended by adding Section 54.5011 to read as follows:
17-18 Sec. 54.5011. CREDIT CARD FEES. (a) An institution of
17-19 higher education that accepts payment of tuition, a fee, or other
17-20 charge by credit card may charge the credit card user a fee for
17-21 processing the payment.
17-22 (b) A fee charged under this section may not exceed the
17-23 amount charged the institution by the issuer of the credit card in
17-24 connection with the payment.
17-25 (c) Before accepting a payment by credit card, the
17-26 institution shall notify the student of any fee to be charged under
17-27 this section.
18-1 SECTION 6.02. Chapter 103, Education Code, is amended by
18-2 adding Section 103.11 to read as follows:
18-3 Sec. 103.11. ACQUISITION OF MUSEUM. (a) The board may
18-4 acquire by gift or donation a museum and any related property.
18-5 (b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
18-6 include in the funding formula applicable to the university funding
18-7 for the operation and maintenance of a museum acquired under
18-8 Subsection (a).
18-9 SECTION 6.03. Section 54.010, Education Code, as added by
18-10 Chapter 1558, Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999,
18-11 is repealed.
18-12 ARTICLE 7. EFFECTIVE DATE
18-13 SECTION 7.01. This Act takes effect immediately if it
18-14 receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each
18-15 house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.
18-16 If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate
18-17 effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1545 was passed by the House on March
29, 2001, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in
Senate amendments to H.B. No. 1545 on May 1, 2001, by a non-record
vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1545 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on April 26, 2001, by the following vote: Yeas 29,
Nays 0, 1 present, not voting.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________________
Date
__________________________
Governor