1-1     By:  Van de Putte                                     S.B. No. 1840
 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed May 4, 2001; May 7, 2001, read first
 1-3     time and referred to Committee on Education; May 10, 2001, reported
 1-4     favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 10, 2001,
 1-5     sent to printer.)
 1-6                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-7                                   AN ACT
 1-8     relating to a study regarding the operation of The University of
 1-9     Texas at San Antonio and The University of Texas Health Science
1-10     Center at San Antonio as a single research university.
1-11           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-12           SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 65, Education Code, is
1-13     amended by adding Section 65.47 to read as follows:
1-14           Sec. 65.47.  STUDY REGARDING THE OPERATION OF THE UNIVERSITY
1-15     OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO AND THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE
1-16     CENTER AS SINGLE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY.  (a)  The board, with the
1-17     assistance of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall
1-18     conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits
1-19     of operating The University of Texas at San Antonio and The
1-20     University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio as a
1-21     single research university.
1-22           (b)  In conducting the study, the board shall:
1-23                 (1)  consult with students, faculty, and administrators
1-24     at both institutions to obtain input regarding any concerns those
1-25     persons may have regarding the proposed change in the operation of
1-26     the institutions;
1-27                 (2)  identify and evaluate the potential benefits and
1-28     advantages concerning the proposed change; and
1-29                 (3)  evaluate and make recommendations concerning any
1-30     legal, administrative, or practical problems concerning the
1-31     proposed change.
1-32           (c)  The board shall complete the study and report the
1-33     results of the study to the legislature on or before October 1,
1-34     2002.  The report must include the board's recommendations
1-35     concerning the proposed change in the operation of the institutions
1-36     and, if the board determines appropriate, must:
1-37                 (1)  establish a proposed timeline for implementing the
1-38     proposed change; and
1-39                 (2)  identify specific actions necessary to implement
1-40     the proposed change.
1-41           (d)  This section expires September 1, 2003.
1-42           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-43     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-44     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-45     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-46     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
1-47                                  * * * * *