By Villarreal H.B. No. 2672 77R6705 DWS-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to a pilot program to fund research and development 1-3 assistance for small businesses. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. The Texas Department of Economic Development shall 1-6 develop a two-year pilot program under which the department, from 1-7 money appropriated for this purpose, makes grants to small business 1-8 development centers to be used by those centers to fund programs 1-9 under which students at institutions of higher education provide 1-10 research and development assistance to small businesses. 1-11 SECTION 2. Before January 1, 2003, the Texas Department of 1-12 Economic Development shall submit to the legislature a report of 1-13 the results of the pilot program developed under this Act. 1-14 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.