By Wentworth S.B. No. 1627
77R8922 JMG-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the creation of the atmosphere modification research
1-3 program and center.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Title 3, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding
1-6 Chapter 50A to read as follows:
1-7 CHAPTER 50A. ATMOSPHERE MODIFICATION RESEARCH
1-8 SUBCHAPTER A. ATMOSPHERE MODIFICATION RESEARCH PROGRAM
1-9 Sec. 50A.001. PURPOSE. The atmosphere modification research
1-10 program is established to increase understanding of precipitation
1-11 and the ability to control precipitation to decrease the damaging
1-12 effects of drought, hail, and flooding on the environment and
1-13 man-made structures.
1-14 Sec. 50A.002. PARTICIPATION. The program is a competitive
1-15 research grant program for faculty researchers at Texas public and
1-16 private institutions of higher education with expertise in weather
1-17 modification or an atmospheric science.
1-18 Sec. 50A.003. ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM. The department
1-19 shall:
1-20 (1) administer the program;
1-21 (2) administer grants for research under the program;
1-22 (3) select research proposals submitted for
1-23 participation in the program by a peer review process;
1-24 (4) give preference to multi-institutional and
2-1 multidisciplinary proposals and proposals with federal or private
2-2 matching funds; and
2-3 (5) adopt rules for the implementation and
2-4 administration of the program.
2-5 Sec. 50A.004. DURATION OF GRANT. A grant shall be for a
2-6 period of five years and, subject to review by the department, may
2-7 be extended for a period of not more than two years.
2-8 Sec. 50A.005. REPORT. A program participant must by October
2-9 31 of each year file with the department an annual report detailing
2-10 the progress of the participant's project.
2-11 Sec. 50A.006. EVALUATION OF PROGRAM. The department shall
2-12 cause an independent evaluation of the program to be conducted by a
2-13 team of experts not associated with the program or the department
2-14 during the second year after the program is created and every two
2-15 years thereafter.
2-16 (Sections 50A.007-50A.010 reserved for expansion)
2-17 SUBCHAPTER B. ATMOSPHERE MODIFICATION RESEARCH CENTER
2-18 Sec. 50A.011. PURPOSE. The department shall establish an
2-19 atmosphere modification research center at Texas Tech University to
2-20 conduct basic and applied research designed to increase
2-21 understanding of precipitation and the ability to control
2-22 precipitation to decrease the damaging effects of drought, hail,
2-23 and flooding on the environment and man-made structures.
2-24 Sec. 50A.012. PUBLIC FORUM. The center must provide a public
2-25 forum to disseminate research findings and recommendations and to
2-26 obtain comments from state and local government agencies, business
2-27 entities, and citizens.
3-1 Sec. 50A.013. ATMOSPHERE MODIFICATION RESEARCH CENTER FUND.
3-2 (a) The atmosphere modification research center fund is created as
3-3 a trust fund with the comptroller and shall be administered by the
3-4 department as a trustee on behalf of the center. The fund is
3-5 composed of:
3-6 (1) gifts, grants, and other donations received by the
3-7 department for the fund;
3-8 (2) revenue from operation of the center; and
3-9 (3) until September 1, 2007, any amounts appropriated
3-10 by the legislature for the fund from the general revenue fund, and
3-11 after that date, an amount appropriated by the legislature for the
3-12 fund from the general revenue fund that does not exceed nonstate
3-13 funding.
3-14 (b) Money in the atmosphere modification research center
3-15 fund may be used only to finance atmosphere modification research
3-16 of the center.
3-17 Sec. 50A.014. DIRECTOR; STAFF. (a) The department shall
3-18 select a center director from among the faculty at Texas Tech
3-19 University.
3-20 (b) The center shall be staffed by Texas Tech University
3-21 faculty members, research professionals, students, and other
3-22 personnel as determined by the department.
3-23 Sec. 50A.015. SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD. (a) The department
3-24 shall establish a scientific advisory board to advise the center on
3-25 research priorities, guidelines, and procedures.
3-26 (b) The board shall establish and review metrics to assess
3-27 the effectiveness of the center's research projects.
4-1 Sec. 50A.016. REPORT. The center shall file annually with
4-2 the department and the legislature a report detailing the center's
4-3 activities, findings, and recommendations.
4-4 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.