|
|
|
|
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 |
|
county" means a county that has a population of not more than |
|
125,000. |
|
Sec. 487.702. GRANT PROGRAM. (a) Subject to available |
|
funds, the office 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 |
|
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 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 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. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
______________________________ |
|
President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
|
|
|
I certify that H.B. No. 2235 was passed by the House on April |
|
27, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 133, Nays 0, 2 present, not |
|
voting. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Chief Clerk of the House |
|
|
|
I certify that H.B. No. 2235 was passed by the Senate on May |
|
21, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
|
|
|
______________________________ |
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
APPROVED: _____________________ |
|
Date |
|
|
|
_____________________ |
|
Governor |