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.