By: Branch (Senate Sponsor - Zaffirini) H.B. No. 2631
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 11, 2011;
April 26, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher
Education; May 5, 2011, reported favorably by the following vote:
Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 5, 2011, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the advanced research program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 142, Education Code, is
amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 142. NORMAN HACKERMAN ADVANCED RESEARCH PROGRAM
SECTION 2. Section 142.001(4), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(4) "Program" means the Norman Hackerman advanced
research program established under this chapter.
SECTION 3. Section 142.002, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 142.002. PURPOSE. The Norman Hackerman advanced
research program is established to encourage and provide support
for basic research conducted by faculty members and students in
astronomy, atmospheric science, biological and behavioral
sciences, chemistry, computer sciences, earth sciences,
engineering, information science, mathematics, material sciences,
oceanography, physics, environmental issues affecting the
Texas-Mexico border region, the reduction of industrial,
agricultural, and domestic water use, social sciences, and related
disciplines in eligible institutions.
SECTION 4. Section 142.004(a), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The program is funded by appropriations and by gifts,
grants, and donations made for purposes of the program [that
purpose]. [The total funds appropriated to the program may be at
least equal to 10 percent of the average amount of the federally
sponsored research funds allocated to all institutions of higher
education annually during the preceding three years.]
SECTION 5. Section 142.004(b), Education Code, is repealed.
SECTION 6. 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.
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