SRC-TAG S.B. 620 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 620
78R3283 JTS-DBy: Armbrister
Natural Resources
3/23/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Council on Environmental Technology (TCET) relies on
state funding and is prohibited from competing for and managing federal
grants.  However, the members and staff of TECT believe that they can
successfully compete for federal grants.  As proposed, S.B. 620 gives the
Texas Council on Environmental Technology the authority to compete for and
manage federal and other grants. This bill enables TCET to collaborate
with state universities and other research entities to attract and manage
federal or other grants for the development, demonstration, certification,
and commercialization of air emissions reducing and other technologies to
improve the state's air and water and to support waste reduction efforts.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 387.002(b), Health and Safety Code, to require
the Texas Council on Environmental Technology (TCET) to assist in
developing solution to air, water, and waste problems by competing for and
managing federal grants and funds from other sources available for
carrying out the objectives of the council. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 387.005, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subsection (f), to require the member, if a member of the TCET is an
employee or owner of an entity that applies for a grant under this
chapter, to disclose the fact of the member's employment or ownership,
before a vote on the grant occurs.  Requires the disclosure to be entered
into the minutes of the meeting.  Prohibits the member from voting on or
otherwise participating in the awarding of the grant.  Provides that, if
the member does not comply with this subsection, the entity is not
eligible for the grant. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.