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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the linking of data regarding specialized technology |
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research projects conducted by general academic teaching |
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institutions and other state agencies. |
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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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DATA. (a) The purpose of this section is to enhance research |
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coordination and expand research collaborations among general |
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academic teaching institutions and other state agencies in one or |
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more of the following specialized technology areas: |
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(1) energy research, including methods of creation, |
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storage, distribution, and conservation of energy; |
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(2) biomedical science research; and |
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(3) nanotechnology research, including nanomedicine. |
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(b) The board shall facilitate the linking of data relating |
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to specialized technology research projects that are developed or |
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conducted at general academic teaching institutions, including any |
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research facilities associated with those institutions, and at |
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research facilities of state agencies other than institutions of |
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higher education. To the greatest extent possible, the links shall |
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be established using existing information systems of the |
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institutions and at the lowest reasonable cost. |
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(c) The board, in consultation with the institutions and |
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agencies, shall determine the type of projects and research areas |
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to be included and prescribe the level and type of data to be |
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linked, including: |
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(1) faculty data, such as the researcher's name, |
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position, area of research interest, grants, and intellectual |
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property; and |
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(2) facility descriptions, such as the facility's |
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purpose, capability, physical location, availability under fee for |
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service, and contact information. |
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(d) The board shall implement this section in phases in |
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regard to participating institutions and agencies and in regard to |
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projects and research areas to be included. Implementation shall |
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begin with the general academic teaching institutions identified as |
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national research universities and emerging research universities. |
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(e) The board and each participating institution or agency |
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shall execute a memorandum of understanding governing the linkage |
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of data under this section. The memorandum of understanding shall |
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address the administration of the linking of data, which may be |
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performed by a nonprofit entity created for that purpose, the |
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sharing of costs for implementation of this section, and other |
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matters determined by the board and the participating institution |
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or agency. Data collection and management shall remain the |
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responsibility of the respective participating institution or |
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agency. |
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(f) The board shall establish an advisory committee |
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composed of representatives of participating institutions and |
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agencies to advise and assist the board in implementing this |
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section. |
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(g) The board and the participating institutions and |
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agencies shall allow access to the linked information consistent |
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with state and federal laws regarding access to public information. |
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This section does not create or affect an exception to public |
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information laws. |
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(h) The board may adopt rules for the administration of this |
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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, 2011. |