BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 2235

80R13186 TAD-D                                                                                          By: Guillen (Zaffirini)

                                                                                                         International Relations & Trade

                                                                                                                                            5/10/2007

                                                                                                                                           Engrossed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

A rural technology center grant program does not exist under current law.  Many rural communities lack the resources to prepare their residents, including high school students, for careers in applied technology and other skilled industries.  Multi-institutional rural technology centers would leverage the resources of schools, colleges, and other public entities.  The course work offered at such centers would prepare area students for careers in applied technology and other highly skilled industries.  Such courses will also increase the community's access to technology and will promote computer literacy.

 

H.B. 2235 establishes a grant program under the Office of Rural Community Affairs to fund the construction of and equipment for rural technology centers. 

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive committee of the Office of Rural Community Affairs in SECTION 1 (Section 487.702, Government Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 487, Government Code, by adding Subchapter P, as follows:

 

SUBCHAPTER P.  RURAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER GRANT PROGRAM

 

Sec. 487.701.  DEFINITION.  Defines "rural county."

 

Sec. 487.702.  GRANT PROGRAM.  (a)  Requires the Office of Rural Community Affairs (office) to establish a grant program, subject to available funds, under which the office awards grants to public institutions of higher education, public high schools, and governmental entities located in a rural county for the development and operation of multi-instructional technology centers that provide certain services.

 

(b)  Requires the executive committee of the office by rule to establish eligibility criteria for grant applicants, grant application procedures, guidelines relating to grant amounts, procedures for evaluating grant applications, and procedures for monitoring the use of grants awarded under the grant program and for ensuring compliance with the conditions of a grant.

 

Sec. 487.703.  FUNDING.  Authorizes the office to seek, receive, and spend money received through an appropriation, grant, donation, or reimbursement from any public or private source to implement this subchapter.

 

SECTION 2.  Requires the office to establish the rural technology center grant program required by Subchapter P, Chapter 487, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than October 1, 2007, and requires the office to award the first grants under that program not later than January 1, 2008.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.