By Dunnam                                             H.B. No. 3028
         77R8191 QS-D                           
                                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. (a)  The board shall conduct an annual state
 1-8     science and engineering fair as part of an outreach program for
 1-9     middle school, junior high school, and high school students to:
1-10                 (1)  promote an appreciation for and interest in
1-11     science, mathematics, and engineering among middle school, junior
1-12     high school, and high school students;
1-13                 (2)  assist schools and school districts in fulfilling
1-14     their missions of science, mathematics, and engineering education;
1-15     and
1-16                 (3)  promote workforce development in the fields of
1-17     science, mathematics, and engineering by providing students with an
1-18     opportunity to interact with higher education and corporate
1-19     institutions.
1-20           (b)  The board may contract with public or private entities
1-21     to conduct the state fair.
1-22           (c)  The board shall coordinate the state fair with local and
1-23     regional science and engineering fairs held in this state.
1-24           (d)  The board shall adopt rules for the organization and
 2-1     operation of the state fair and shall select the participants in
 2-2     the fair.
 2-3           (e)  The board may use general revenue funds appropriated for
 2-4     that purpose and any gifts, grants, and donations to conduct the
 2-5     state fair.  The amount of general revenue funds appropriated for
 2-6     that purpose in a state fiscal year may not exceed $10,000 or the
 2-7     total amount of money received as gifts, grants, or donations,
 2-8     whichever amount is less.
 2-9           SECTION 2. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
2-10     shall conduct the first state science and engineering fair under
2-11     Section 61.088, Education Code, as added by this Act, in 2002 at a
2-12     time and date to be determined by the board, in coordination with
2-13     the local and regional science and engineering fairs.
2-14           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-15     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-16     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
2-17     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-18     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.