S.B. 1642 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 1642
By: Staples
Higher Education
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, rural Texas has a large elderly population who have specific
health issues and needs. 
The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler has the ability to research
rural geriatric issues 
since it is located near to rural communities with a large elderly
population. As proposed, S.B. 
1642 establishes the East Texas Center for Rural Geriatric Studies at The
University of Texas 
Health Science Center at Tyler.


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 74K, Education Code, by adding Section 74.604,
as follows: 

 Sec. 74.604. EAST TEXAS CENTER FOR RURAL GERIATRIC STUDIES. (a)
 Defines "board" and "center."

 (b) Authorizes the board of regents of The University of Texas System
(board) to 
 establish the East Texas Center for Rural Geriatric Studies at The
University of 
 Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (center) for certain purposes.

 (c) Provides that the organization, control, and oversight of the center
are vested 
 in the board.
 
 (d) Requires the board, if it establishes the center, to provide for the
employment 
 of staff and an operating budget for the center and select a site for the
center at 
 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler.

 (e) Authorizes the center to solicit, accept, and administer gifts and
grants from 
 any public or private source for the use and benefit the center.

 (f) Provides that the establishment of the center is subject to the
availability of 
 federal funding, gifts, grants, or other funding for that purpose.

 (g) Provides that an employee of the center is an employee of The
University of 
 Texas System.

 (h) Authorizes the center to enter into agreement with a public or
private entity to 
 operate or participate in the operation of the center.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.


EFFECTIVE DATE

 
This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of
all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article
III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary
for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.