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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 database to track specialized |
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technology research projects conducted by public universities, |
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public university research facilities, and other state |
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institutions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 61.0823 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 61.0823. STATEWIDE SPECIALIZED TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH |
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DATABASE. (a) The board shall collect data and maintain a database |
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relating to specialized technology research projects that are |
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developed or conducted at institutions of higher education, |
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research facilities of institutions of higher education, or other |
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facilities operated by a state agency in order to facilitate |
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coordination among the institutions and facilities on the projects. |
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(b) The database must include: |
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(1) a list of any projects involving one or more of the |
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following areas: |
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(A) energy research, including methods of |
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creation, storage, distribution, and conservation of energy; |
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(B) biomedical science research; |
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(C) nanotechnology research, including |
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nanomedicine; and |
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(D) other specialized technology research; |
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(2) for each project listed under Subdivision (1), a |
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brief description of the project, including the field of technology |
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involved, the entity involved with the project, and additional |
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comments regarding the research the board considers appropriate; |
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and |
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(3) other relevant information and available |
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resources in this state relating to specialized technology |
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research, including: |
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(A) expert faculty or research personnel; |
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(B) technology developed and patents obtained; |
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and |
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(C) the location of and policies for the use of |
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available research equipment. |
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(c) In order to avoid duplication of efforts, the board may, |
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through a memorandum of understanding, work in conjunction with the |
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Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office in collecting data |
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for and maintaining the database developed under this section. |
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(d) The board shall allow public access to the information |
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maintained in the database to the extent necessary to comply with |
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state and federal laws regarding access to public information. |
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(e) On request, an institution of higher education, |
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research facility of an institution of higher education, or other |
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facility operated by a state agency shall provide to the board any |
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information necessary for the board to perform its duties under |
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this section. |
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(f) The board shall adopt rules for the administration of |
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this section. |
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SECTION 2. 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. |