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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the participation of students in funding awarded under |
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the advanced research program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 142.001, Education Code, is amended by |
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amending Subdivision (3) and adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as |
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follows: |
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(3) "Eligible institution" means an institution of |
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higher education[, as defined by Section 61.003(8) of this code]. |
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(3-a) "Institution of higher education" and "medical |
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and dental unit" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003. |
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SECTION 2. Section 142.002, Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 142.002. PURPOSE. The advanced research program is |
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established to encourage and provide support for basic research |
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conducted by faculty members and students in astronomy, atmospheric |
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science, biological and behavioral sciences, chemistry, computer |
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sciences, earth sciences, engineering, information science, |
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mathematics, material sciences, oceanography, physics, |
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environmental issues affecting the Texas-Mexico border region, the |
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reduction of industrial, agricultural, and domestic water use, |
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social sciences, and related disciplines in eligible institutions. |
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SECTION 3. Subsection (c), Section 142.003, Education Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(c) The guidelines and procedures developed by the |
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coordinating board must: |
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(1) provide for awards on a competitive, peer review |
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basis for specific projects at eligible institutions; and |
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(2) require that, as a condition of receiving an |
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award, an eligible institution must use a portion of the award to |
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support, in connection with the project for which the award is made, |
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basic research conducted by: |
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(A) graduate or undergraduate students, if the |
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eligible institution is a medical and dental unit; or |
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(B) undergraduate students, if the eligible |
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institution is any other institution of higher education. |
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SECTION 4. 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, 2009. |