By Van de Putte                                       S.B. No. 1840
         77R14355 KSD-D                           
                                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
 2-1     proposed change.
 2-2           (c)  The board shall complete the study and report the
 2-3     results of the study to the legislature on or before October 1,
 2-4     2002.  The report must include the board's recommendations
 2-5     concerning the proposed change in the operation of the institutions
 2-6     and, if the board determines appropriate, must:
 2-7                 (1)  establish a proposed timeline for implementing the
 2-8     proposed change; and
 2-9                 (2)  identify specific actions necessary to implement
2-10     the proposed change.
2-11           (d)  This section expires September 1, 2003.
2-12           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-13     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-14     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
2-15     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-16     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.