BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 387
80R7636 TAD-D By: Callegari, Flynn (Patrick)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In 1985, the Texas Legislature created the Texas National Research Laboratory Commission (TNRLC) to prepare proposals for the United States Department of Energy (USDOE) for the placement of the proposed Super-conducting Super Collider Accelerator project (project) in Texas. When USDOE selected Texas as the site for the project in 1988, TNRLC's authority was expanded to include the financing, development, and operation of the project. TNRLC was also granted the power of eminent domain in order to acquire property for the construction of the project.
Five years after Texas was selected as the site for the project, the United States Congress voted to terminate funding for the project. In light of the discontinuation of the project, the Texas Legislature directed TNRLC to dispose of state-owned assets and return bonds to the state. In 1997, the Legislature transferred the remaining functions of TNRLC to the General Land Office.
H.B. 387 repeals statutory provisions relating to TNRLC.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.604, Education Code, to delete existing text requiring the establishment of recruitment seminars and mentorship programs in cooperation with the Texas National Research Laboratory Commission (TNRLC).
SECTION 2. Amends Section 65.33, Education Code, as follows:
Sec. 65.33. EMINENT DOMAIN. (a) Provides that the board of regents of The University of Texas System (board) has the power of eminent domain to acquire for the use of the university system any land that may be necessary and proper for carrying out its purposes in the manner prescribed by Chapter 21 (Eminent Domain), Property Code, rather than in Title 52, Revised Civil Statutes of Texas, 1925, as amended.
(b) Makes a conforming change.
(c) Deletes existing text setting forth procedural guidelines for the acquisition of land for the selection of a site for and the construction of the Super-conducting Super Collider Accelerator project using eminent domain if that project is granted to certain university systems. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 661.031(2), Government Code, to redefine "state employee."
SECTION 4. Amends Section 661.061(2), Government Code, to redefine "state employee."
SECTION 5. Amends Section 1232.101, Government Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 6. Amends Section 2301.062 and 2301.064, Government Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 7. Amends Section 25.07(b), Tax Code, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 8. Repealer: Chapter 465 (Texas National Research Laboratory Commission), Government Code.
Repealer: Section 151.349 (Corporations Formed by Texas National Research Laboratory Commission), Tax Code.
Repealer: Section 171.086 (Exemption: Corporations Formed by Texas National Research Commission), Tax Code.
SECTION 9. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.