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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