82R22492 KYF-F

By: Branch, Brown, Shelton H.B. No. 2630

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the formal recognition and administration of The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center.

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

SECTION 1. Subtitle D, Title 3, Education Code, is amended by adding Chapter 89 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 89. THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 89.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Board" means the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System.

(2) "Health science center" means The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center.

Sec. 89.002. COMPOSITION. (a) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center is composed of the following component institutions, agencies, and programs under the management and control of the board:

(1) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine;

(2) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry;

(3) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health;

(4) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy;

(5) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Nursing;

(6) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center School of Graduate Studies;

(7) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Institute of Biosciences and Technology;

(8) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Coastal Bend Health Education Center;

(9) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center South Texas Health Center; and

(10) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Rural and Community Health Institute.

(b) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry may use the name "Baylor" only:

(1) in accordance with:

(A) a license agreement between the health science center and Baylor University; or

(B) other written approval from Baylor University; or

(2) as otherwise permitted by law.

Sec. 89.003. MANDATORY VENUE. (a) Venue for a suit filed against the health science center, any component institution, agency, or program of the health science center, or any officer or employee of the health science center is in Brazos County.

(b) This section does not waive any defense to or immunity from suit or liability that may be asserted by an entity or individual described by this section.

(c) In case of a conflict between this section and any other law, this section controls.

Sec. 89.004. EXPENDITURE OF STATE FUNDS. The board is authorized to expend funds appropriated to it by the legislature for all lawful purposes of the health science center and its component institutions, agencies, and programs as well as funds available under the authority of Section 18, Article VII, Texas Constitution, for the purposes expressed in that section for the support of the health science center and its component institutions, agencies, and programs.

[Sections 89.005-89.050 reserved for expansion]

SUBCHAPTER B. THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM HEALTH SCIENCE

CENTER IRMA LERMA RANGEL COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

Sec. 89.051. THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER IRMA LERMA RANGEL COLLEGE OF PHARMACY. (a) The board shall maintain a college of pharmacy as a component of the health science center.

(b) The college shall be known as The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, and the primary building in which the school is operated in Kleberg County must include "Irma Rangel" in its official name.

SECTION 2. Section 61.003(5), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(5) "Medical and dental unit" means The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center and its component institutions, agencies, and programs; The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas; The University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio; The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston; The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston; The University of Texas Dental School at San Antonio; The University of Texas Medical School at Houston; The University of Texas Health Science Center--South Texas and its component institutions, if established under Subchapter N, Chapter 74; the nursing institutions of The Texas A&M University System and The University of Texas System; and The University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston; and such other medical or dental schools as may be established by statute or as provided in this chapter.

SECTION 3. The following are repealed:

(1) Subchapters D, F, G, and H, Chapter 86, Education Code; and

(2) Subchapter I, Chapter 87, Education Code.

SECTION 4. Section 89.003, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies only to an action brought against The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, a component institution, agency, or program of that center, or an officer or employee of that center on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 5. 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, 2011.