VERNON'S TEXAS CIVIL STATUTES
CHAPTER 9B. ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC FREE SCHOOLS
Art. 2654-3g. Texas Environmental Education Partnership; Fund
Creation and Administration
Definitions
Sec. 1. In this Act:
(1) "Board" means the board of directors of the TEEP Fund.
(2) "Participating partner" means an entity designated as a
participating partner under Section 4 of this Act.
(3) "TEEP Fund" means the Texas Environmental Education
Partnership Fund established under Section 2 of this Act.
(4) "TEEP trust fund" means the Texas Environmental Education
Partnership trust fund established under Section 6 of this Act.
Establishment of Texas Environmental Education Partnership Fund
Sec. 2. The Texas Environmental Education Partnership Fund is
established and shall operate as a public/private nonprofit
education partnership.
Purpose
Sec. 3. The purpose of the Texas Environmental Education
Partnership Fund is to:
(1) raise money from a diversity of resources to pay for the
development, implementation, and continued operation of
environmental education projects, activities, and programs
proposed by a participating partner, including:
(A) scholarships for educators (formal and informal) for
professional development in the area of environmental education;
(B) environmental education projects, activities, or programs
approved by the board;
(C) support of efforts to ensure that textbooks treat
environmental issues with a balanced approach and explain the
underlying scientific principles;
(D) ensuring system-wide assessment of essential knowledge and
skills identified by the State Board of Education as required by
Subsections (c) and (d), Section 28.002, Education Code, as related
to environmental education; and
(E) environmental education materials;
(2) review for approval and funding environmental education
projects, activities, and programs proposed by a participating
partner; and
(3) establish a working relationship between the TEEP Fund and
state agencies with educational functions, such as the Texas
Education Agency.
Designation of Participating Partner
Sec.4. (a) The board shall designate one or more public/private
partnership entities as a participating partner to develop and
propose environmental education projects, activities, and programs
to receive assistance from the TEEP Fund.
(b) A participating partner must represent a broad spectrum of
public and private interests relating to scientifically based and
balanced environmental and educational concerns.
TEEP Fund Board
Sec. 5. (a) The board consists of not more than 12 members
appointed as follows:
(1) 10 members appointed by the governor to provide balanced
representation from the following groups:
(A) business and industry;
(B) agriculture;
(C) nongovernmental organizations;
(D) K-12 educators;
(E) university educators;
(F) local and state government;
(G) environmental education providers;
(H) environmental groups; and
(I) parents;
(2) one member appointed by the lieutenant governor to represent
the senate; and
(3) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives to represent the house of representatives.
(b) The 10 members appointed by the governor shall be culturally,
ethnically, and geographically diverse.
(c) A board member is appointed for a renewable term of two years
expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered year.
(d) A board member serves at the will of the appointing official.
(e) A board member representing the senate or house of
representatives is a nonvoting member.
(f) A board member is not entitled to compensation but is entitled
to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in
performing board duties.
(g) The board may accept donations, gifts, grants, or other money
made available to the TEEP Fund for the purposes of this Act. The
board shall deposit to the credit of the TEEP trust fund a donation,
gift, grant, or other money accepted by the board under this
subsection.
TEEP Trust Fund
Sec. 6. (a) The Texas Environmental Education Partnership trust
fund is established as a trust fund outside the treasury to be held
by the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company and administered by
the board of the Texas Environmental Education Partnership Fund for
the benefit of:
(1) a participating partner; or
(2) environmental education projects, activities, and programs
proposed by a participating partner and approved by the board.
(b) Money in the fund may be used only to:
(1) award grants or money for environmental education projects,
activities, and programs proposed by a participating partner and
approved by the board; and
(2) reimburse board members for actual expenses incurred in
performing board duties as authorized by Subsection (f) of Section
5 of this Act.
(c) The trust fund consists of donations, gifts, grants, or other
money made available to the TEEP Fund for the purposes of this Act.
(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (b) of this section, in any fiscal
year the board may use for the board's administrative costs an
amount equal to not more than seven percent of the amount deposited
to the credit of the fund that was given to the board for
supplemental environmental projects under Section 7.067, Water
Code.
Eligibility Criteria
Sec. 7. (a) The board shall adopt and publish eligibility
criteria to be considered in making a grant or award of money from
the trust fund.
(b) The criteria adopted by the board shall:
(1) include consideration of whether a proposed project,
activity, or program will:
(A) improve the quality of environmental education in the state;
(B) identify, use, or increase resources for environmental
education; and
(C) be adaptable to and represent the diverse environmental
aspects of the state; and
(2) give primary consideration to projects, activities, and
programs that:
(A) promote balanced views based on sound science;
(B) include instruction on or exercises in critical thinking; and
(C) promote the protection of environmental resources.
Sunset Provision
Sec. 8. Repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1112, Sec. 6.01(3),
eff. Sept. 1, 2003.
Appointment of Board
Sec. 9. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective date of
this Act, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of
the house of representatives shall appoint members to the board as
provided by Subsection (a) of Section 5 of this Act.
(b) The initial members of the board are appointed for terms
expiring February 1, 2001.
Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 105, eff. May 17, 1999; Sec. 6(d) added by
Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 717, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Sec. 8
repealed by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1112, Sec. 6.01(3), eff. Sept.
1, 2003.
