BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1657
80R4507 SMH-D By: Puente (Duncan)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2007, and wishes to pursue an intellectual property right, such as a copyright, trademark, or patent for publications, logos, and slogans associated with the anniversary events; however, TWDB does not have the power to obtain such rights. Currently, other state agencies and institutions of higher education have the power to obtain intellectual property rights.
H.B. 1657 allows TWDB to acquire intellectual property rights.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 6, Water Code, by adding Section 6.197, as follows:
Sec. 6.197. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF BOARD. Authorizes the executive administrator (executive administrator) of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), with the approval of TWDB and on TWDB's behalf, to acquire, apply for, register, secure, hold, protect, and renew under the laws of the State of Texas, another state, the United States, or any other nation a patent for certain purposes, a copyright for certain purposes, certain trademarks, or other evidence of protection or exclusivity of intellectual property. Authorizes the executive administrator, with the approval of TWDB and on TWDB's behalf, to contract with a person for certain purposes, obtain under a contract certain means of securing reasonable compensation, waive, increase, or reduce the amount of compensation, and enforce rules adopted to implement this section.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2007.