83R1622 JRJ-F
By: Callegari H.B. No. 841
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Texas Center for Innovative
Desalination Technology at the University of Houston in partnership
with The University of Texas at El Paso.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 111, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. TEXAS CENTER FOR INNOVATIVE
DESALINATION TECHNOLOGY
Sec. 111.131. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Board" means the board of regents of the
University of Houston System.
(2) "Center" means the Texas Center for Innovative
Desalination Technology established under this subchapter.
Sec. 111.132. ESTABLISHMENT. (a) The Texas Center for
Innovative Desalination Technology is established as a joint
partnership of the University of Houston and The University of
Texas at El Paso.
(b) The organization, control, and management of the center
are vested in the board.
(c) The center shall operate through the University of
Houston's College of Engineering and The University of Texas at El
Paso's Center for Inland Desalination Systems. Participation in
the center's activities shall be open to any faculty member of
either university who is an active researcher in the field of water
desalination, engineering, hydrology, biology, water supply
development, or energy efficiency or another relevant field as
determined by the board.
Sec. 111.133. PURPOSE. The center is created to:
(1) promote interdisciplinary research, education,
and training for the development of state-of-the-art products,
materials, systems, and technologies designed for the desalination
of seawater from the Gulf of Mexico and brackish water within
surface and groundwater resources throughout the state; and
(2) develop cost-effective, energy-efficient, and
environmentally sound water desalination, brine disposal, and
water conveyance technologies that can enhance the potential for
desalinated water to contribute toward the state's long-term water
portfolio.
Sec. 111.134. POWERS AND DUTIES. The center shall:
(1) collaborate with appropriate international,
federal, state, and local agencies and private business or
nonprofit entities as necessary to develop innovative desalination
technologies;
(2) research and develop innovative seawater and
brackish water desalination technologies, including pretreatment
technologies and improvements, that:
(A) are energy efficient and cost effective;
(B) minimize environmental impacts; and
(C) offer long-term water supply solutions for
the state;
(3) research and develop brine disposal methods and
technologies;
(4) research and develop water conveyance systems and
technologies that may be used to transport desalinated water to
target use populations;
(5) develop test facilities for evaluating the
performance of new products, materials, or techniques;
(6) develop specifications and standards for products
used for desalinating water, conveying water, and disposing of
brine;
(7) provide public information, education, and
outreach regarding desalination technologies and appropriate uses
and conservation methods for desalinated water; and
(8) provide data, recommendations, and any other
information necessary relating to desalination for local,
regional, or statewide water planning programs and processes.
Sec. 111.135. COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES. The
University of Houston and The University of Texas at El Paso shall
encourage public, private, and nonprofit entities to participate in
or support the operation of the center and may enter into an
agreement with any public, private, or nonprofit entity for that
purpose. An agreement may allow the center to provide information,
services, or other assistance to an entity in exchange for the
entity's participation or support.
Sec. 111.136. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The board may solicit,
accept, and administer gifts and grants from any public or private
source for the purposes of this subchapter.
Sec. 111.137. PERSONNEL. The board may employ personnel
for the center as the board considers necessary.
Sec. 111.138. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires
September 1, 2023.
SECTION 2. 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, 2013.