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 * * * * *