(a) In this section, "border region" means the area composed of the counties of Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Brewster, Brooks, Cameron, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Kleberg, Live Oak, La Salle, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Nueces, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Reeves, San Patricio, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Willacy, Zapata, and Zavala.
(a) In this section, "border region" has the meaning assigned to "Texas-Mexico border region" by Section 2056.002, Government Code.
(b) The board shall encourage institutions of higher education and other entities using state research or technology funds to apply those funds to environmental issues in the border region to the extent consistent with the authorized use of those funds.