By Dunnam H.B. No. 3028 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to a state science and engineering fair conducted by the 1-3 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 61.088 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 61.088. STATE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIRS. (a) The 1-8 board shall conduct an annual state science and engineering fair as 1-9 part of an outreach program for middle school, junior high school, 1-10 and high school students to: 1-11 (1) promote an appreciation for and interest in 1-12 science, mathematics, and engineering among middle school, junior 1-13 high school, and high school students; 1-14 (2) assist schools and school districts in fulfilling 1-15 their missions of science, mathematics, and engineering education; 1-16 and 1-17 (3) promote workforce development in the fields of 1-18 science, mathematics, and engineering by providing students with an 1-19 opportunity to interact with higher education and corporate 1-20 institutions. 1-21 (b) The board may contract with public or private entities 1-22 to conduct the state fair. 1-23 (c) The board shall coordinate the state fair with local and 1-24 regional science and engineering fairs held in this state. 2-1 (d) The board shall adopt rules for the organization and 2-2 operation of the state fair and shall select the participants in 2-3 the fair. 2-4 (e) The board may use general revenue funds appropriated for 2-5 that purpose and any gifts, grants, and donations to conduct the 2-6 state fair. The amount of general revenue funds appropriated for 2-7 that purpose in a state fiscal year may not exceed $10,000 or the 2-8 total amount of money received as gifts, grants, or donations, 2-9 whichever amount is less. 2-10 SECTION 2. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board 2-11 shall conduct the first state science and engineering fair under 2-12 Section 61.088, Education Code, as added by this Act, in 2002 at a 2-13 time and date to be determined by the board, in coordination with 2-14 the local and regional science and engineering fairs. 2-15 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 2-16 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 2-17 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this 2-18 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 2-19 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.