BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                    C.S.H.B. 2235

                                                                                                                                          By: Guillen

                                                                                                           Border & International Affairs

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

C.S.H.B. 2235 is the enabling legislation for an appropriations rider to Article VII, Office of Rural Communty Affairs.

 

C.S.H.B. 2235 establishes a grant program under the Office of Rural Communty Affairs to fund the construction and equipment for newly created Rural Technology Centers.  These multi-institutional centers will leverage the resources of schools, colleges, and other public entities.  The course work offered at the Centers will prepare the area's residents, including high school students, for careers in applied technology and other highly skilled industries.  Courses will also increase the community's access to technology and promote computer literacy.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the opinion of the committee that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the executive committee of the Office of Rural Community Affairs in SECTION 1 of this bill. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

C.S.H.B. 2235 amends the Government Code by providing a definition for rural county.  The bill requires the Office of Rural Community Affairs to establish a grant program and sets forth requirements for the program.  The bill authorizes funding sources for the program.  The bill requires the Office of Rural Communty Affairs to establish the rural technology center grant program not later than October 1, 2007, and award the first grants not later than January 1, 2008.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

 

Comparison of Original to Substitute

 

C.S.H.B. 2235 differs from the original by providing a definition for rural county rather than a rural border county and removing the requirement that the county be located within the South Texas region adjacent to an international border.  The substitute also differs from the original by changing the population parameter from not more than 75,000 to not more than 125,000.  The substitute also differs from the original by requiring the Office of Rural Communty Affairs, rather than the executive committee of the Office of Rural Communty Affairs, to establish the grant program.