By: Watson S.B. No. 1600

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an interim study on the creation of a data collection to track specialized technology research projects conducted by public universities, public university research facilities, and other state institutions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. INTERIM STUDY REGARDING TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH DATA COLLECTION. (a) A select interim committee is created to study the feasibility of collecting data and maintaining a searchable electronic database, search engine, or other collection of data (data collection) relating to specialized technology research projects that are developed or conducted at public universities in this state, research facilities of public universities in this state, or other facilities operated by a state agency, in order to facilitate coordination among the universities and facilities on the projects and improve access to and awareness of the specialized research and technologies developed at those institutions and facilities.

(b) The study must consider:

(1) appropriate entities to administer the data collection, including nonprofit organizations, public universities in this state, or state agencies;

(2) the extent of legislative oversight required for an entity that would maintain the data collection;

(3) compliance with state and federal laws regarding access to public information; and

(4) the information the data collection would include, such as:

(A) a list of projects involving one or more of the following areas:

(i) energy research, including methods of creation, storage, distribution, and conservation of energy;

(ii) biomedical science research, including research that involves stem cells or human cloning;

(iii) nanotechnology research, including nanomedicine; and

(iv) other specialized technology research;

(B) for each project listed under Paragraph (A) of this subdivision, a brief description of the project, including the field of technology involved, the entity involved with the project, and additional comments regarding the research the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board considers appropriate; and

(C) other relevant information and available resources in this state relating to specialized technology research, including:

(i) expert faculty or research personnel;

(ii) available technology and patents obtained;

(iii) the location of and policies for the use of available research equipment;

(iv) public grants or contracts awarded; and

(v) the process through which any stem cells and stem cell lines utilized were derived.

(c) The study shall examine the current state of access to public information about specialized technology research projects and shall assess the best methods of facilitating access to the information. In addition, the study shall consider what information should be accessible by the general public and what information, if any, should have restricted access.

(d) The committee shall be composed of:

(1) representatives of the following institutions, with one member named by each institution: The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, the University of Houston, the University of North Texas, The University of Texas at Arlington, The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Texas at El Paso, and The University of Texas at San Antonio; and

(2) a number of members appointed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as the coordinating board considers appropriate to represent the coordinating board, data collection providers, and the technology industry.

(e) On the request of the committee, a general academic institution of higher education, research facility of a general academic institution of higher education, or other facility operated by a state agency shall provide to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or advisory committee any information necessary for the board or advisory committee to perform its duties under this section.

SECTION 2. COMMITTEE REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2010, the committee shall report the committee's findings and recommendations to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the governor. The committee shall include in its recommendations specific legislation that the committee considers desirable to address the need for and feasibility of establishing a data collection as determined by the committee's findings.

SECTION 3. ABOLITION OF COMMITTEE. The committee is abolished and this Act expires January 16, 2011.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2009.