BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 58

By: Branch

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The Legislature created the Advanced Research Program (ARP) in 1985 when it added a line item called Advanced Technological Research Program for $35 million to Coordinating Board’s budget in the General Appropriations Act.  Although the program lacked statutory authority, a rider, directed the Coordinating Board to use the funds for a competitive research grant program for emerging technology in “microelectronics, energy, telecommunications, aerospace, biotechnology, materials and other areas of science and technology that hold substantial promise of great benefit to the people of Texas.”  The rider limited the program to general academic teachings institutions and “another agency of higher education that has the demonstrated exceptional capability to attract federal, state and private funding of scientific and technical research and has an exceptionally strong research staff, equipment and facilities.”  No more than two-thirds of the funds may be awarded to the University of Texas and Texas A&M University.

 

House Bill 58 amends the Education Code to make private or independent institutions of higher education eligible to participate in the advanced research program administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

House Bill 58 amends Section 142.001 (3), Education Code, to include private or independent institutions of higher education within the definition of "Eligible institution."

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2009.