By:  Shapleigh                                                    S.B. No. 81 


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a joint partnership between the Texas Tech University 
Health Sciences Center and The University of Texas at El Paso.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 110, Education Code, is amended by 
adding Section 110.17 to read as follows:
	Sec. 110.17.  JOINT PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS 
AT EL PASO.  (a)  The board of regents of Texas Tech University and 
the board of regents of The University of Texas System may establish 
and maintain a joint partnership between the Texas Tech University 
Health Sciences Center and The University of Texas at El Paso.  The 
governance of the partnership is as determined by agreement between 
the boards of regents of the participating institutions.  The 
boards of regents by agreement may designate the official name of 
the partnership.
	(b)  The partnership shall develop joint degree programs and 
joint research programs as the boards of regents of the 
participating institutions consider appropriate to efficiently use 
the resources of both institutions in El Paso County consistent 
with the mission of each institution.  The participating 
institutions may make joint appointments of faculty or other 
personnel to the partnership and to either or both institutions.  
The salary of a person receiving a joint appointment shall be 
apportioned between the institutions on the basis of services 
rendered.
	(c)  The costs of operation of the partnership may be paid 
from money appropriated for that purpose or from other public or 
private money.  The partnership shall retain all indirect costs 
received or recovered under a grant or contract.
	(d)  The partnership may accept gifts, grants, and donations 
from any source for the purposes of the partnership's programs.  The 
partnership shall seek private, local, and federal funding to 
support the operation and management of the partnership.
	(e)  The activities of the partnership may be located in 
facilities determined appropriate by the boards of regents, 
including facilities of a participating institution.  The 
partnership may acquire, develop, or use land, buildings, 
equipment, facilities, or other improvements for use in connection 
with the partnership's programs.
	(f)  The partnership may contract with the governing body of 
a public or private college or university located in Mexico or 
Canada to conduct joint degree programs or other joint academic 
activities.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 69, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 69.23 to read as follows:
	Sec. 69.23.  JOINT PARTNERSHIP WITH TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY 
HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER.  The board of regents of The University of 
Texas System has the powers and duties provided by Section 110.17.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.