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.