By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 1840 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to a study regarding the operation of The University of 1-3 Texas at San Antonio and The University of Texas Health Science 1-4 Center at San Antonio as a single research university. 1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-6 SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 65, Education Code, is 1-7 amended by adding Section 65.47 to read as follows: 1-8 Sec. 65.47. STUDY REGARDING THE OPERATION OF THE UNIVERSITY 1-9 OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE 1-10 CENTER AS SINGLE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY. (a) The board, with the 1-11 assistance of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall 1-12 conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits 1-13 of operating The University of Texas at San Antonio and The 1-14 University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio as a 1-15 single research university. 1-16 (b) In conducting the study, the board shall: 1-17 (1) consult with students, faculty, and administrators 1-18 at both institutions to obtain input regarding any concerns those 1-19 persons may have regarding the proposed change in the operation of 1-20 the institutions; 1-21 (2) identify and evaluate the potential benefits and 1-22 advantages concerning the proposed change; and 1-23 (3) evaluate and make recommendations concerning any 1-24 legal, administrative, or practical problems concerning the 1-25 proposed change. 2-1 (c) The board shall complete the study and report the 2-2 results of the study to the legislature on or before October 1, 2-3 2002. The report must include the board's recommendations 2-4 concerning the proposed change in the operation of the institutions 2-5 and, if the board determines appropriate, must: 2-6 (1) establish a proposed timeline for implementing the 2-7 proposed change; and 2-8 (2) identify specific actions necessary to implement 2-9 the proposed change. 2-10 (d) This section expires September 1, 2003. 2-11 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 2-12 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 2-13 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this 2-14 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 2-15 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.