79R7327 KEL-D

By:  Zaffirini                                                    S.B. No. 1530



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a statewide strategic plan for the support and 
promotion of technology research in this state.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS.  In this Act:                                         
		(1)  "Committee" means the technology research 
planning committee.          
		(2)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning 
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
	SECTION 2.  COMPOSITION OF TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH PLANNING 
COMMITTEE.  (a)  The technology research planning committee is 
composed of 18 members as follows:
		(1)  four members of the senate appointed by the 
lieutenant governor;       
		(2)  four members of the house of representatives 
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
		(3)  10 members appointed by the governor as follows:                         
			(A)  one representative from each of the 
following:                        
				(i)  The University of Texas System;                                        
				(ii)  The Texas A&M University System;                                  
				(iii)  the Texas Tech University System;                                    
				(iv)  the University of Houston System;                                     
				(v)  the University of North Texas System; 
and                            
				(vi)  the Texas State University System;                                    
			(B)  two experts in the field of ethics as applied 
to technology issues;   
			(C)  one representative of a regional or state 
advocacy group specializing in technology issues; and
			(D)  one representative of the technology 
industry.                        
	(b)  A member of the committee serves at the pleasure of the 
appointing official.  In making appointments to the committee, the 
appointing officials shall attempt to appoint persons who reflect 
the gender and ethnic composition of the population of the state and 
who represent the geographic regions of the state.
	(c)  The members of the committee shall select a presiding 
officer and other officers from among the members and shall meet at 
the call of the presiding officer.
	SECTION 3.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH 
PLANNING COMMITTEE.  (a)  The committee shall develop and adopt a 
statewide strategic plan for the support and promotion of 
technology research in this state, including research in the 
following areas:
		(1)  stem cells and other areas of biotechnology;                             
		(2)  nanotechnology; and                                                      
		(3)  other emerging technologies considered 
appropriate for incorporation in the plan by the committee.
	(b)  In adopting the plan, the committee shall consider and 
determine:       
		(1)  the amount of money available for technology 
research in this state and the amount of money required to fund 
technology research comparable in quantity and quality to that 
conducted or funded in other states; and
		(2)  the types of technology research receiving 
financial and other support from this state and the types of 
technology research that should receive state support.
	(c)  The committee may request reports and other information 
from institutions of higher education, the Texas Higher Education 
Coordinating Board, and other entities as necessary to carry out 
this Act.
	SECTION 4.  REPORT; RECOMMENDATIONS.  (a)  The committee 
shall submit to the presiding officer of each house of the 
legislature a report summarizing the committee's activities and 
determinations performed as required by this Act.
	(b)  The report must include the statewide strategic plan 
adopted by the committee and any recommendations for legislative 
action the committee considers necessary to implement the statewide 
plan.
	SECTION 5.  DEADLINES.  (a)  Not later than November 1, 2005, 
the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house 
of representatives shall make the appointments required by this 
Act.
	(b)  Not later than November 1, 2006, the committee shall 
adopt the statewide strategic plan required by this Act.
	(c)  Not later than December 1, 2006, the committee shall 
submit the report required by this Act to the appropriate 
officials.
	SECTION 6.  EXPIRATION.  This Act expires January 1, 2007.                     
	SECTION 7.  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, 2005.