H.B. No. 2285         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.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 2285 was passed by the House on May 6,   2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 132, Nays 11, 2 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 2285 was passed by the Senate on May   19, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 3.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor