HBA-MPM H.B. 2025 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2025
By: Pickett
Higher Education
3/10/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

H.B. 2025 establishes the Border Health Institute (institute) in El Paso,
Texas and sets forth the participating institutions and entities which will
have representation on the institute's governing board.  Additionally, this
bill further describes the administrative duties of the institute, its
funding sources, and the protocol regarding annual reporting.  The purpose
of the institute is to deliver health care or provide health education to
persons living in the border region and conduct research in fields of study
affecting public health in the border region, including research related to
infectious diseases, diabetes, environmental health issues, and children's
health issues. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the governing board of the Border
Health Institute in SECTION 1 (Section 151.004, Education Code) of this
bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subtitle H, Title 3, Education Code, by adding Chapter
151, as follows: 

CHAPTER 151.  BORDER HEALTH INSTITUTE

Sec. 151.001.  DEFINITION.  Defines "institute" as the Border Health
Institute. 

Sec. 151.002.  ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE.  Establishes the institute in the
city of El Paso.  Sets forth the purpose of the institute. 

Sec. 151.003.  INSTITUTE MEMBERSHIP.  (a) Sets forth the institutions of
higher education and other entities which initially compose the institute.
Authorizes the governing board of the institute to adopt procedures for
allowing additional entities to become members of the institute. 

Sec. 151.004.  ADMINISTRATION.  Provides that the governing board (board)
of the institute is composed of the chief executive officer of each entity
that is an institute member or the chief executive officer's designee.
Provides that the board is responsible for the operation of the institute.
Requires the board to adopt rules relating to its operation and
deliberations and the operation of the institute. Authorizes the board to
employ an executive director of the institute and any other officer or
employee necessary for the operation of the institute.  Requires the board
to meet, at least once yearly, to review the institute's progress and to
determine the institute's actions in the next year. 

Sec. 151.005.  FUNDING.  Authorizes the institute to apply for and accept
funds from the federal government or any other public or private entity in
addition to any amount appropriated by the legislature.  Authorizes the
institute or any of its members to solicit and accept pledges, gifts, and
endowments from private sources.  Requires the board to manage and approve
all disbursements of appropriations, funds, pledges, gifts, and endowments
and to manage any capital improvements constructed by the institute and any
real property it acquires. 
 
Sec. 151.006.  ANNUAL REPORTING.  Requires the institute to provide an
annual audited financial statement and a status report of each project it
undertakes to each member of the board. 

SECTION 2.  Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to
prepare an impact statement examining the initial implementation of this
Act and to deliver a copy to the chair of each legislative committee with
primary jurisdiction over higher education or border health issues no later
than January 1, 2001. 

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.