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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a technology center grant program for |
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rural counties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 487, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter P to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER P. RURAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER GRANT PROGRAM |
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Sec. 487.701. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "rural |
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county" means a county that has a population of not more than |
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125,000. |
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Sec. 487.702. GRANT PROGRAM. (a) Subject to available |
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funds, the office shall establish a grant program under which the |
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office awards grants to public institutions of higher education, |
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public high schools, and governmental entities located in a rural |
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county for the development and operation of multi-institutional |
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technology centers that provide: |
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(1) community access to technology; |
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(2) computer literacy programs; |
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(3) educational programs designed to provide |
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concurrent enrollment credit for high school students taking |
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postsecondary courses in information and emerging technologies; |
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(4) training for careers in technology-related fields |
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and other highly skilled industries; and |
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(5) technology-related continuing and adult education |
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programs. |
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(b) The executive committee by rule shall establish: |
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(1) eligibility criteria for grant applicants; |
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(2) grant application procedures; |
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(3) guidelines relating to grant amounts; |
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(4) procedures for evaluating grant applications; and |
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(5) procedures for monitoring the use of grants |
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awarded under the program and for ensuring compliance with the |
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conditions of a grant. |
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Sec. 487.703. FUNDING. The office may seek, receive, and |
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spend money received through an appropriation, grant, donation, or |
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reimbursement from any public or private source to implement this |
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subchapter. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than October 1, 2007, the Office of |
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Rural Community Affairs shall establish the rural technology center |
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grant program required by Subchapter P, Chapter 487, Government |
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Code, as added by this Act, and shall award the first grants under |
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that program not later than January 1, 2008. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |