By: Thompson of Brazoria, et al. H.B. No. 2285
(Senate Sponsor - Taylor of Galveston)
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 8, 2017;
May 9, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher
Education; May 17, 2017, reported favorably by the following vote:
Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 17, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Texas Institute for Coastal
Prairie Research and Education at the University of Houston.
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 INSTITUTE FOR COASTAL PRAIRIE RESEARCH AND
EDUCATION
Sec. 111.141. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Board" means the board of regents of the
University of Houston System.
(2) "Institute" means the Texas Institute for Coastal
Prairie Research and Education established under this subchapter.
Sec. 111.142. ESTABLISHMENT. (a) The Texas Institute for
Coastal Prairie Research and Education is established at the
University of Houston.
(b) The organization, control, and management of the
institute are vested in the board.
Sec. 111.143. POWERS AND DUTIES. The institute shall:
(1) conduct environmental research and education on
coastal prairie and prairie restoration;
(2) provide a setting for other entities to conduct
environmental research and education on coastal prairie and prairie
restoration; and
(3) provide national leadership and education
regarding the best methods to restore coastal prairie.
Sec. 111.144. COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ENTITIES. The
University of Houston shall encourage public or private entities to
participate in or support the operation of the institute and may
enter into an agreement with any public or private entity for that
purpose. An agreement may allow the institute to provide
information, services, or other assistance to an entity in exchange
for the entity's participation or support.
Sec. 111.145. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The board may solicit,
accept, and administer gifts and grants from any public or private
source for the purposes of the institute.
Sec. 111.146. PERSONNEL. The board may employ personnel
for the institute as necessary.
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, 2017.
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