80R7211 TAD-D
 
  By: Guillen H.B. No. 2164
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a technology center grant program for
rural counties.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Chapter 487, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter P to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER P. RURAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER GRANT PROGRAM
       Sec. 487.701.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "rural
border county" means a county that:
             (1)  is located within the South Texas region adjacent
to an international border; and
             (2)  has a population of not more than 57,000.
       Sec. 487.702.  GRANT PROGRAM. (a) Subject to available
funds, the executive committee shall establish a grant program
under which the office awards grants to public institutions of
higher education, public high schools, and governmental entities
located in a rural border county for the development and operation
of multi-institutional technology centers that provide:
             (1)  community access to technology;
             (2)  computer literacy programs;
             (3)  educational programs designed to provide
concurrent enrollment credit for high school students taking
postsecondary courses in information and emerging technologies;
             (4)  training for careers in technology-related fields
and other highly skilled industries; and
             (5)  technology-related continuing and adult education
programs.
       (b)  The executive committee by rule shall establish:
             (1)  eligibility criteria for grant applicants;
             (2)  grant application procedures;
             (3)  guidelines relating to grant amounts;
             (4)  procedures for evaluating grant applications; and
             (5)  procedures for monitoring the use of grants
awarded under the program and for ensuring compliance with the
conditions of a grant.
       Sec. 487.703.  FUNDING. The office may 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.  Not later than October 1, 2007, the executive
committee of the Office of Rural Community Affairs shall establish
the rural technology center grant program required by Subchapter P,
Chapter 487, Government Code, as added by this Act, and the Office
of Rural Community Affairs shall award the first grants under that
program not later than January 1, 2008.
       SECTION 3.  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, 2007.