summary of higher education legislation

SUMMARY OF

HIGHER EDUCATION LEGISLATION

84th TEXAS LEGISLATURE

OFFICE OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS2015

TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD

Harold W. Hahn, CHAIR El Paso

Robert W. Jenkins, VICE CHAIR Austin

David D. Teuscher, M.D., SECRETARY Beaumont

Christina Delgado, STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE Lubbock

Dora G. Alcalá Del Rio

S. Javaid Anwar Midland

Ambassador Sada Cumber Sugarland

Fred Farias III, O.D. McAllen

Janelle Shepard Weatherford

John T. Steen, Jr. San Antonio

Raymund A. Paredes, COMMISSIONER OF HIGHER EDUCATION

MISSION OF THE COORDINATING BOARD The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board promotes access, affordability, quality,

success, and cost efficiency in the state’s institutions of higher education, through

Closing the Gaps and its successor plan, resulting in a globally competent workforce

that positions Texas as an international leader in an increasingly complex world

economy.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE COORDINATING BOARD The THECB will promote access to and success in quality higher education across the

state with the conviction that access and success without quality is mediocrity and that

quality without access and success is unacceptable.

INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

SUMMARY OF GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT…………………………………………………………………….

HIGHER EDUCATION LEGISLATION BY TOPIC

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION……………………………………………………………………………………

EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS………………………………………………………………………………

HEALTH-RELATED PROGRAMS…………………………………………………………………………………………….

TRANSFER…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

RESEARCH……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY………………………………………………………………………………………

ADMISSIONS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

APPROPRIATIONS/FUNDING…………………………………………………………………………………………………

CAREER SCHOOLS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

COMMUNITY, STATE AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES…………………………………………………………………

FEES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

FINANCIAL AID……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

INSTITUTIONAL/GOVERNANCE CHANGES……………………………………………………………………………

P-16 INITIATIVES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

STUDENT INFORMATION………………………………………………………………………………………………………

TUITION………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

VETERAN’S BENEFITS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

WORKFORCE TRAINING INITIATIVES………………………………………………………………………………………

VETOED………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

MISCELLANEOUS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ADMINISTRATION/OPERATIONS LEGISLATION BY TOPIC

EMPLOYEE ISSUES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS……………………………………………………………………………

OPEN MEETINGS/OPEN RECORDS…………………………………………………………………………………………

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLES

LEGISLATION LISTED BY BILL NUMBER………………………………………………………………………………….

LEGISLATION LISTED BY BILL AUTHOR………………………………………………………………………………….

LEGISLATION LISTED BY BILL SPONSOR…………………………………………………………………………………..

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

SUMMARY OF



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I N T R O D U C T I O N

SUMMARY OF



The 84th Texas Legislature opened a new chapter in how Texas policymakers view and address

the role of higher education in our state economy. Several long-serving incumbents moved on.

Key leadership positions, including the governor, lieutenant governor, and chairs of the House

Higher Education, House Appropriations, and Senate Finance Committees, were filled with

individuals who were new to their roles.

This was also the final legislative session to be held during the timeframe of Closing the Gaps by

2015, the state’s long-range plan for higher education since 2000. The session served as a

bridge between Closing the Gaps and the state’s next long-range strategic plan for higher

education, 60x30TX. The goals of 60x30TX – increasing the share of Texans with a certificate or

degree; increasing completions; ensuring students have identifiable, marketable workforce skills;

and ensuring student loan debt is manageable – are reflected in many of the bills considered

and enacted by the Legislature this session.

Several initiatives adopted by the Legislature this session will have an important impact on

higher education and students for years to come, including:

Increased investments in student financial aid, including a $62.7 million increase in

TEXAS Grants and a $12.2 million increase in Tuition Equalization Grants (TEG). These

additional investments will help make higher education affordable for financially needy

students and decrease the dependence on student loans.

Appropriated additional funding for graduate medical education (GME), including an

increase of $38.7 million for Graduate Medical Education Expansion grants. This funding

will create additional opportunities for Texas medical school graduates to perform their

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residencies in Texas and makes it more likely that these highly-credentialed professionals

will establish their careers in the state.

Authorized universities, health-related institutions, and state and technical colleges to

issue bonds for the construction and rehabilitation of high-priority facilities.

Charged the Coordinating Board with updating existing, and creating new defined,

curricular pathways from high school to college and among higher education institutions

that promote transfer of credits toward an applicable certificate or degree program. This

will promote efficient completion and help students pursue their career interests.

In addition to these enacted initiatives, the 84th Legislature initiated or continued the

conversation on several important policy recommendations for higher education. A new

outcomes-based funding model tying universities’ ability to raise tuition and fees to increases in

student success – performance-based tuition – was extensively debated and adopted by the

Senate and House Higher Education Committees. A proposal, based on a Rand Corporation

study, for a statewide process that would allow certain community colleges to offer

baccalaureate programs in nursing and applied science was debated but ultimately not enacted.

The Legislature also had an impassioned debate on whether, and how, to reform the Hazlewood

Exemption to reign in the exponential growth of the program and subsequent loss of tuition

revenue at institutions, but the Legislature was ultimately unable to reach a consensus.

This report provides a summary of legislation enacted by the 84th Texas Legislature that impacts

the Coordinating Board, institutions of higher education, and other higher education

stakeholders. This report also provides an overview of how the General Appropriations Act

impacted funding for all sectors of higher education. The report is organized by topic with cross-

reference tables by bill number, bill author, and bill sponsor provided at the end.

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SUMMARY OF

GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT RELATED TO HIGHER EDUCATION


2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 B I E N N I U M

This summary describes funds appropriated via the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Years

(FY) 2016-17 (House Bill 1), Supplemental Appropriations for FY2014-15 (House Bill 2), all

gubernatorial vetoes impacting the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating

Board) and institutions of higher education. This summary highlights significant changes in the

Coordinating Board’s budget to include new, deleted, and amended riders.

To review the complete higher education budget as approved by the 84th Texas Legislature,

Regular Session, visit: http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/.

SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2014-2015

House Bill 2 made supplemental appropriation increases and reductions for various state agencies

and institutions of higher education for the current fiscal biennium. Particularly relevant to higher

education, this legislation included:

An increase of $4,471,800 for The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Economic

Geology for the purchase and deployment of seismic equipment and preparation of a

report by December 1, 2016 describing preliminary reservoir modeling results;

An increase of $775,000 to Lee College for its prison higher education program;

An increase of $1,077,557 for Lamar State College-Orange for damages associated with

Hurricane Ike;

An increase of $8,200,000 to The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston for its

Bio-Containment Critical Care Unit;

A transfer of unexpended and unencumbered amounts appropriated from Midland

College’s American Airpower Heritage Museum to the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum.

GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT

The total All Funds appropriation for the State of Texas for the 2016-2017 biennium is $209.4

billion, an increase of $7.3 billion or 3.6 percent over 2014-15 funding levels. General Revenue and

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http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/

General Revenue-Dedicated (GR and GR-D) statewide increased 11.3 percent to $114.1 billion

for the biennium.

The total All Funds appropriation for higher education is $19.9 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion.

GR and GR-D funds for higher education increased by $1.5 billion (9.1%) to $17.4 billion. In the

FY2016-17 budget, higher education will represent 9.5 percent of the All Funds budget and 15.2

percent of the GR and GR-D budget.1

INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The FY2016-17 All Funds appropriation for general academic institutions is $6.82 billion, an

increase of $398.8 million (or 6.2%) over FY2014-15. Health-related institutions’ All Funds

appropriation increased by about $178.4 million to $3.04 billion, a 6.2 percent increase.

All funding for public two-year institutions decreased by $11.5 million (or 0.6%) due to a decline

in contact hours.

Line item vetoes by the governor totaling $8.48 million that affected institutions of higher

education for the 2016-2017 biennium include:

$5 million in General Revenue funding to The University of Texas at Austin to “provide

research and education in the areas of identity management, protection, security and

privacy and to develop solutions to identity problems;”

$275,154 in General Revenue funding to Texas A&M University for an International Law

Summer Course;

$2 million in General Revenue funding to Tarleton State University for the Center for Anti-

Fraud;

$1 million in General Revenue funding to Stephen F. Austin State University for the Waters

of East Texas (WET) Center;

$200,000 in General Revenue funding to Del Mar College for the Maritime Museum; and

In the Texas Education Agency’s budget the governor also vetoed $193,000 per year that

is used to pay for annual membership dues to the Southern Regional Education Board

(SREB). SREB is a nonprofit organization made up of 16 member states, including Texas.

Texas currently participates in SREB-sponsored programs, such as the Academic Common

Market, access to the Electronic Campus, the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement,

and State Data Exchange efforts.

1 Source: Summary Tables for House Bill 1 Conference Committee Report (2016-17 State Budget), Legislative Budget Board

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FORMULA FUNDING

State formula funding for institutions of higher education increased by $459 million in All Funds

compared to the 2014-2015 appropriation. This included a $329 million (or 7.6%) increase to

formula funding for general academic institutions, a $155.2 million (or 8.4%) increase for health

related institutions, a $24.2 million (or 1.4%) decrease to community colleges, a $4.2 million

decrease to Lamar institutions, and a $4.2 million (or 3.9%) increase to technical and state colleges.

Last session, the Legislature made significant changes to how formula funding is structured for

community colleges and for Texas State Technical Colleges (TSTC). Texas State Technical Colleges

have 100 percent of the instruction and administration formula funding allocated by a “Returned

Value” model based on the additional state tax revenues generated by former students. The model

matches cohorts of graduates, transfers and leavers with unemployment insurance wage records

for five years to determine the wage premium generated by a TSTC education. The budget for

TSTC for FY2016-17 includes an increase in the Returned Value percentage from 32.6 percent to

35.5 percent in the Instructional and Administrative Formula Returned Value formula that began

in 2014–15.

However, due to a 3.2 percent decrease in contact hours from 2014–15, community college

districts experienced a $24.2 million reduction in funding. Formula funding amounts provided a

90 percent hold harmless appropriation based on formula appropriations in the 2014–15

biennium. Last session, the formula funding for community colleges was split at 90 percent for

contact hour funding and 10 percent for success point funding. That 90/10 split was maintained

for FY2016-17.

COORDINATING BOARD BUDGET

The Coordinating Board received an All Funds appropriation of $1.7 billion, a 10.6 percent

increase compared to the 2014-15 funding level. Funding increases for student financial aid and

graduate medical education are detailed in subsequent sections.

While funding for some programs was significantly reduced, such as the B-On-Time and Top Ten

Percent Scholarship programs, as well as the transfer of $30 million for Hazelwood tuition

exemptions, the Legislature increased appropriations for half of the Coordinating Board’s

exceptional item requests. In total, these increases amount to more than a quarter-billion dollars

over the next two years in All Funds:

BUDGET PRIORITY INCREASE

TEXAS Grants $62.7 million

Texas Educational Opportunity

Grants $28.9 million

IT Acquisition and Refresh $252,000

IT Security Upgrades (DCS) $385,096

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BUDGET PRIORITY INCREASE

Graduate Medical Education $38.75 million

Family Practice Residency

Program $4 million

Pathways Project $274,000

Advise TX $4 million

Teach for Texas Loan Repayment $2.58 million

Tuition Equalization Grants $12.2 million

Texas Research Incentive

Program $102.5 million

Centralized Accounting and

Payroll/Personnel System

(CAPPS) Implementation

$1.39 million

Total $257.93 million

Notable changes to Coordinating Board programs include:

Increase of $102.5 million for the Texas Research Incentive Program, supporting eight

emerging research institutions (Texas Tech University, the University of Houston, the

University of North Texas, and University of Texas campuses in Dallas, Arlington, San

Antonio and El Paso);

A $1 million biennial appropriation for the Norman Hackerman Advanced Research

Program was eliminated;

Appropriations to the Higher Education Fund (HEF) totaling $656.3 million, which includes

an increase of $131.3 million, beginning FY2017. (HEF benefits the non-Permanent

University Fund institutions and can be used for acquiring land, constructing and

equipping buildings and other permanent improvements, performing major repair and

renovation of buildings, and acquiring capital equipment, library books, and library

materials);

Appropriations include $240 million for tuition revenue bond debt service for $3.1 billion

in tuition revenue bonds for 64 projects at public universities, health-related institutions,

and state and technical colleges;

Teach for Texas Loan Repayment Program funding increased by $2.6 million (or 58

percent) to $7 million. The increase is to be dedicated for the implementation of Senate

Bill 686, permitting funding of the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program;

General Revenue funding includes $4 million for the Advise TX (www.advisetx.org)

program. Advise TX supports recent college graduates to serve as advisers in selected

partner high schools;

New appropriations of $274,000 for the Pathways Project, a data-driven initiative on

student preparation and achievement at the local level. The funding expands the project

to additional sites across the state;

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New appropriations of $2 million for a mental health professional loan repayment program

created by Senate Bill 239;

New appropriations of $8.1 million for an autism research grant program;

New appropriations of $220,000 for the Dental Education Loan Repayment Program.

STUDENT FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

The major Coordinating Board programs that provide financial aid to students in higher education

received nearly $1.13 billion in FY2016-2017, an increase of $52.8 million (or 4.9%) over FY2014-

15 funding levels:

The TEXAS Grant program, the largest state financial aid program, received $715 million,

an increase of $62.7 million2, or 9.6 percent, over FY2014-2015 levels. The increase will

maintain grants of $5,000 to 85 percent of eligible students;

The Texas B-On-Time Loan program received $82.6 million in the FY2016-17 biennium,

a 24.6 percent decrease from the previous biennium. The funding level supports only

renewal students. B-On-Time is funded by tuition set asides and provides zero-interest

loans to eligible students, which are forgiven if the student meets academic and time-to-

degree requirements. During the 84th session, the Legislature passed House Bill 700, which

eliminates the set aside and phases out the program by 2020;

PROGRAM 2014-2015 2016-2017 AMOUNT

DIFFERENCE PERCENTAGE

DIFFERENCE

TEXAS Grant $652.32 $714.98 $62.66 9.6% Texas Educational Opportunity Grants

$65.10 $94.0 $28.9 44.4%

B-On-Time $109.6 $82.63 ($29.33) (24.6%) Tuition Equalization Grants

$180.10 $192.30 $12.2 6.8%

College Work Study Program

$18.8 $18.8 -- --

Educational Aide Program

$0.0 $1.5 $1.5 n/a

Top 10 Percent Scholarships

$39.6 $18.22 ($21.4) (54%)

Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program

$7.12 $5.34 ($1.78) (25%)

Total $1072.64 $1,127.77 $52.75 4.9%

2 The 2014-15 estimated and budgeted base includes a one-time private gift of $30 million from the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation for the TEXAS Grant program.

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Funding for the Top 10 Percent Scholarship program was reduced by $21.4 million, or

54 percent, limiting awards to renewal students only;

The Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) program received a biennial increase

in funding from $65.1 million in FY2014-15 to $94 million in FY2016-17. However, because

two-year college students previously served by TEXAS Grants were moved to TEOG

beginning in FY2015 (Senate Bill 215, 83rd Legislature), an additional $8.4 million would

have been required to continue to fund TEOG at the FY2015 service level. Also, for FY2016-

17, TEOG was split into separate pools for community colleges and for state and technical

colleges to reflect the different allocation methodologies needed for these sectors.

Funding for other financial aid programs includes:

$192.3 million for the Tuition Equalization Grants program, reflecting an increase of

$12.2 million (6.8%) for FY2016-17. Funding will allow more than 29,000 students to receive

grants of $3,250 in each of the next two years;

$18.8 million for the Texas College Work-Study program. The sustained funding level

will allow more than 7,000 students each year to receive awards of $1,365;

$5.34 million for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship program, reflecting a $1.78

million, or 25 percent reduction from FY2014-15; and

New appropriations of $1.5 million for FY2016-17 for the Educational Aide program.

GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Appropriations provide $53 million in General Revenue Funds for the Graduate Medical Education

Expansion program, an increase of $38.75 million from FY2014–15 funding levels. Under language

passed in Senate Bill 18 and House Bill 1, the funding will provide:

$3.5 million for one-time planning and partnership grants to hospitals, medical schools

and community-based ambulatory patient care centers to develop new graduate medical

education programs;

$32.6 million for new or existing GME programs to increase the number of first year

residency positions;

$9.75 million to fill first-year residency positions that were unfilled as of July 1, 2013; and

$7.2 million for grants to GME programs receiving funding under the New and Expanded

GME Program in FY2015.

The Coordinating Board estimates the increased expansion funding will support approximately

219 residency positions in 2016 and 330 in 2017.

General Revenue funding for the Coordinating Board reflects a $4 million increase, or 31.3 percent,

for the Family Practice Residency program.

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House Bill 1 also contains new appropriations of $3 million for the Preceptorship program,

providing pediatric, internal medicine, and family practice medical education.

APPROPRIATION BILL RIDERS

Appropriation bill riders not only give instruction on how funds may be expended, they often

direct the Coordinating Board to conduct studies, compile reports, and create programs. House

Bill 1 includes 70 riders directly in the Coordinating Board’s bill pattern, as well as numerous riders

elsewhere in Article III and in Article IX that impact Coordinating Board operations.

This summary highlights significant new appropriation riders and changes to existing riders that

impact the Coordinating Board and higher education.

RIDERS IN THE COORDINATING BOARD’S BILL PATTERN

DELETED RIDERS

Texas College Work Study Program and Toward EXcellence, Access, and Success (TEXAS)

Grant Program. A rider to encourage schools to award work-study with the TEXAS Grant was

removed from the agency bill pattern for the 2016-2017 biennium. (III-52, Rider 27, 2014-2015

General Appropriations Act)

ABE Community College Grants. A rider allocating $2 million in Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Community College Grants to community colleges and public technical institutions to increase

participation and success of adult basic education students transitioning from community and

federally funded ABE programs into postsecondary education and/or training programs, was

deleted for FY2016-17. (III-55, Rider 36, 2014-2015 General Appropriations Act)

Research Programs. A rider relating to the distribution of grants under the Norman Hackerman

Advanced Research Program was deleted due to defunding of the program. (III-55, Rider 39, 2014-

2015 General Appropriations Act)

Open Educational Resources. A rider requiring the Coordinating Board, in consultation with the

Virtual College of Texas, to study and recommend policies regarding the availability and use of

open educational resources in Texas was deleted. The report was completed and submitted in

2014. (III-57, Rider 52, 2014-2015 General Appropriations Act)

Coordinating Board Contingent Appropriations, Formula Funding for The University of

Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. Appropriations made to the Coordinating

Board for The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College Transition Funding for

FY2014-15 was deleted. The two institutions merged to form The University of Texas-Rio Grande

Valley. (III-57, Rider 53, 2014-2015 General Appropriations Act)

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Grant Aid and Participation and Success in Higher Education. A rider requiring the

Coordinating Board to conduct an experimental study of the causal relationship between the

receipt of grant aid and changes in participation, persistence, and graduation was deleted. (III-58,

Rider 56, 2014-2015 General Appropriations Act)

UNT HSC College of Pharmacy. A rider appropriating $5.4 million to the University of North

Texas Health Science Center College of Pharmacy was deleted from the Coordinating Board’s

FY2016-17 bill pattern. (III-59, Rider 59, 2014-2015 General Appropriations Act)

Aquifer Research. A rider transferring appropriations from a deleted Water Aquifer Research

funding item to the Houston Area Research Council was removed. (III-59, Rider 60, 2014-2015

General Appropriations Act)

Contingency for Senate Bill 215. A rider relating to Senate Bill 215 (83rd), the sunset legislation

for the Coordinating Board, was deleted. (III-59, Rider 63, 2014-2015 General Appropriations Act)

Funding for Physical Education Courses. A rider was deleted that required the Coordinating

Board to recommend to the 84th Legislature a funding methodology that excludes semester credit

hours related to physical education courses for students who are registered to receive both high

school and college credit. (III-249 (special provisions), Sec. 33, 2014-2015 General Appropriations

Act)

NEW AND AMENDED COORDINATING BOARD RIDERS

Strategic Plan for Teacher Certification. A 2014-2015 budget rider required the Coordinating

Board to use appropriations to “develop and implement a strategic plan to increase the number

of certified teachers.” New language stipulates that the Board “shall develop and implement a

strategic plan to improve teacher professional development for certified teachers in the state to

increase the quality and effectiveness of certified teachers in the classrooms.” (III-47, Rider 16)

Tobacco Funds - Estimated Appropriation and Unexpended Balance. New rider language

lowered the estimated balances available from the Permanent Fund for Minority Health Research

and Education and the Permanent Fund for Nursing, Allied Health and Other Health Related

Programs at the end of FY2015 to $0. (III-47, Rider 17)

Texas Collegiate License Plate Scholarships. Estimated amounts to be deposited to the credit

of community colleges and independent institutions was lowered from $402,234 per fiscal year to

$62,766. (III-48, Rider 21)

"College for Texans" Campaign License Plate. Estimated amounts to be appropriated for the

College for Texans Campaign was lowered from $73,444 and $77,104 in fiscal years 2014 and

2015, respectively, to $13,408 per fiscal year in 2016-2017. (III-48, Rider 23)

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Tobacco Funds-Baylor College of Medicine-Permanent Health Fund. New rider language

provides an estimated distribution of $1,914,193 to the Baylor College of Medicine out of the

Permanent Health Fund for Higher Education in each year of the 2016-2017 biennium. All balances

of estimated appropriations from the institution's allocation from the amounts available for

distribution out of the Permanent Health Fund for Higher Education, at the close of the fiscal year

ending August 31, 2015, estimated to be $0. (III-48, Rider 26)

Align Adult Basic Education and Postsecondary Education. Modified rider language requires

the Coordinating Board to work with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Texas Workforce

Commission (TWC) to prepare a report on the alignment of Adult Education and Literacy (AEL)

and postsecondary education.

To increase the number, success, and persistence of students transitioning to postsecondary

education from AEL programs and students enrolled in basic academic skills education courses

and interventions, the report shall address:

Outreach, referrals, persistence interventions, and advising;

Assessment, curriculum, and instruction aligned to integrated or intensive program

models;

State-level accountability systems to monitor performance;

Adult Education and Literacy to postsecondary performance measures;

Accelerate Texas data and program evaluation:

General Education Development (GED) test data;

Standards to enhance data quality and sharing among state agencies and service-

providers; and

Grants and other institutional funding models (including Federal Funds and Other Funds)

to maximize effective use of limited General Revenue Funds. (III-49, Rider 27)

Texas College Work Study Program. New rider language states that funds spent on the College

Work Study Program are “intended to maximize” on student grants that include a work study

component. (III-49, Rider 28)

Tobacco Funds - Baylor College of Medicine-Permanent Endowment Fund. New rider

language provides for a distribution or investment returns to Baylor College of Medicine from the

Permanent Endowment Fund for the Baylor College of Medicine, and lowers the estimated

amount available for distribution out of the Permanent Health Fund for Higher Education, at the

close of the fiscal year ending August 31, 2015 estimated to $0. (III-49, Rider 29)

Annual Financial Aid Report. The rider changed the deadline for the Coordinating Board to

present an annual report concerning student financial aid at Texas public and independent

institutions of higher education. The report, previously due on September 1 of each calendar year,

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is now to be provided to the Legislative Budget Board by November 1 of each calendar year. (III-

49, Rider 30)

Top 10 Percent Scholarships. The rider now stipulates that the amounts appropriated in Top Ten

Percent Scholarships are for renewal awards only. (III-50, Rider 32)

Teacher Education Centers. The deadline for participating institutions to report data on teacher

education was changed to October 15 of each year, rather than October 1. (III-51, Rider 35)

Accelerate Texas Community College Grants. A new rider requires that, $2 million from

Accelerate Community College Grants be used for competitive grants to community colleges and

public technical institutions for “Accelerate Texas program models for the purpose of increasing

the participation and success of adult education and literacy (AEL) students transitioning from

community and federally-funded AEL programs into postsecondary education and/or training

programs and for students assessed under the new TSI Assessment as demonstrating basic

academic skills….Any balances as of August 31, 2016 are hereby appropriated for the same

purpose for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2016.” (III-51, Rider 36)

B-On-Time Program-Public. The rider now stipulates that funds appropriated for the B-On-Time

Program-Public are for renewal awards only. (III-52, Rider 44)

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) Program - Public Community Colleges and

TEOG Program - Public State and Technical Colleges. Two riders were created to account for

new separate funding pools for the two sectors, and to stipulate that any unexpended balances

on hand at the end of FY2016 may be carried over to FY2017 for the same purpose. This was done

to allow each sector to develop its own allocation methodology. (III-52, Rider 46)

Graduate Medical Education Expansion. A new rider allocates $53 million in funding for GME

expansion as follows:

$3.5 million for one-time planning and partnership grants to hospitals, medical schools

and community-based ambulatory patient care centers to develop new GME programs;

$32.6 million for new or existing GME programs to increase the number of first-year

residency positions;

$9.75 million to fill first-year residency positions that were unfilled as of July 1, 2013;

$7.2 million for grants to GME programs receiving funding under the New and Expanded

GME Program in FY2015.

Any unexpended balances on hand at the end of FY2016 are appropriated for the same purpose

for FY2017. A rider (#54) related to GME from the last biennium was deleted. (III-53, Rider 51)

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Space Projection Model. A new rider requires the Coordinating Board to conduct a study to

review the space projection model and report the results of the study to the Legislative Budget

Board and the Governor's Office no later than June 1, 2016. The study should consider the impacts

of courses delivered online in the model and include recommendations to enhance the accuracy

and validity of space projections determined by the model. (III-54, Rider 55)

B-On-Time Program-Private. The rider stipulates that funds appropriated for the B-On-Time

Program-Private are for renewal awards only. (III-54, Rider 56)

Teacher Residency Program. A rider changes the amounts to be appropriated for the Texas

Teacher Residency Program from $655,403 in FY2014 and $642,902 in FY2015 to $649,153 in

FY2016 and $649,152 in FY2017. (III-54, Rider 57)

Nursing Field of Study Curricula. A new rider requires the Coordinating Board to evaluate the

nursing field of study curricula and enhance the effectiveness of the curricula in reducing barriers

for students who transfer between nursing programs. This evaluation shall be completed no later

than January 1, 2017. (III-54, Rider 59)

Dental Education Loan Repayment Program. A new rider provides for the reinstatement of

funding under the Dental Education Loan Repayment Program (DELRP). The DELRP is a previously

defunded program providing repayment of eligible student loans received by a dentist who meets

the stipulated requirements. Any balances on hand at the end of FY2016 may be carried forward

over to FY2017 for the same purpose. (III-54, Rider 60)

Texas Research Incentive Program. A new rider directs that amounts appropriated for the Texas

Research Incentive Program be distributed in accordance with Texas Education Code, Sections

62.121-62.124. (III-54, Rider 61)

Grant Funding for Educational Aide Program. A new rider in the Coordinating Board’s bill

pattern directs the agency to “pursue additional funds, in addition to funds appropriated to the

Educational Aide Program for this program from the U.S. Department of Education Transition to

Teaching grant program and from foundations interested in promoting education and training

for current school employees pursuing teacher certification.” (III-54, Rider 62)

Local Institution Match for Educational Aide Program. A new rider directs the Coordinating

Board to prioritize the distribution of funds appropriated to the Educational Aide Program to

institutions providing a match of at least 10 percent for each exemption awarded. (III-54, Rider

63)

Physician Education Loan Repayment Program Rulemaking for Obstetrics and Gynecology.

A new rider requires the Coordinating Board and the Texas Health and Human Services

Commission to implement any necessary rules for the Physician Education Loan Repayment

Program to address the qualifications for the participation of providers in the field of Obstetrics

and Gynecology. (III-54, Rider 64)

13

OAG Lawyer's Loan Repayment Program. A rider related to the Office of Attorney General

Lawyer’s loan repayment program was altered to reflect a decrease in funding in the Coordinating

Board’s bill pattern, from $248,036 per fiscal year in 2014-15 to $186,027 per fiscal year for 2016-

17. (III-55, Rider 65)

Contingency for House Bill 2396. The new rider eliminates funding for the Office of Attorney

General’s Lawyer Loan Repayment Program and eliminates the tuition set aside that funds the

program, contingent on the passage of House Bill 2396. House Bill 2396 was signed by the

governor and is effective immediately. (III-55, Rider 66)

Advise TX. A new rider allows the Coordinating Board to solicit and accept gifts for additional

support for the Advise TX College Advising Corps. Any unexpended balances on hand at the end

of FY2016 may be carried over to FY2017 for the same purpose. (III-55, Rider 67)

Autism Program. A new rider directs the Coordinating Board to distribute funds appropriated to

autism research centers at institutions of higher education that currently provide evidence-based

behavioral services and training, as follows:

Parent-directed Treatment: $2.25 million per fiscal year to serve 750 children per year;

Board-certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) Training for Teachers/Paraprofessionals:

$950,000 per fiscal year to serve 2,547 children per year;

Research, development, and evaluation of innovative autism treatment models: $700,000

per fiscal year.

Administrative funding of $150,000 per year is also provided in the rider to support the programs.

The Coordinating Board is directed to gather data on the programs and issue an annual report on

the effectiveness of each program. The report shall be submitted no later than September 1 of

each year, beginning on September 1, 2016. (III-55, Rider 68)

Permanent Fund Supporting Graduate Medical Education. A new rider contingent on the

enactment of Senate Bill 18 (effective on September 1, 2015) to permit the proceeds of the

Permanent Fund Supporting Graduate Medical Education to be appropriated to Graduate Medical

Education Expansion, at the Coordinating Board. (III-55, Rider 69) Senate Bill 18 was signed by the

governor.

Contingency for Senate Bill 686. A new rider allows the appropriation of $1,287,500 in each

fiscal year of the 2016-2017 biennium for the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment

Program, pending the enactment of Senate Bill 686 (effective on September 1, 2015). (III-55, Rider

70) Senate Bill 686 was signed by the governor.

14

OTHER ARTICLE III RIDERS IMPACTING THE COORDINATING BOARD

HIGHER EDUCATION FUND

Contingency for Senate Bill 1191. A rider in the bill pattern for the Higher Education Fund

provides for the allocation of an additional $131,250,000 for institutions supported by the Higher

Education Fund. The funding is added to the base of $262,500,000 starting in 2017. Senate Bill

1191 was signed into law by the governor on June 18, 20105. (III-56, Rider 2)

PUBLIC COMMUNITY/JUNIOR COLLEGES

Developmental Education Intervention Formulas. A rider from the previous budget was

deleted in the bill pattern for public community/junior colleges, which stated the Legislature’s

intent to direct the Coordinating Board with implementing funding formula recommendations on

a weighted contact-hour basis. (III-204, Rider 20)

Coordinating Board Contingent Appropriations, Formula Funding for Texas Southmost

College. A deleted rider from the previous budget allocated appropriations made to the

Coordinating Board in FY2014-15 to provide transition formula funding for Texas Southmost

College prior to the creation of the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. (III-204, Rider 21)

Methodology for Student Success Points Allocation for the 2016-17 biennium. A rider from

the previous budget to require that the public community/junior colleges and the Coordinating

Board jointly develop recommendations for an allocation system for student success points for

the 2016-17 biennium was deleted. (III-205, Rider 23)

Reporting Requirement. A new rider requires each public community/junior college to submit a

report to the Legislative Budget Board no later than December 1 of each fiscal year regarding the

contact hours and success points generated by each campus of the district and the amount of

formula funding transferred to each campus, as well as the total tuition and fee revenue collected

at each campus and the amount of any total tuition and fee revenue transferred to another

campus. (III-207, Rider 23)

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

Program to Encourage Certification to Teach Bilingual Education, English as a Second

Language, or Spanish. A rider from FY2014-15 expanded the list of institutions eligible to receive

an award of no less than $150,000 to encourage students to become certified in bilingual

education. The revised rider includes the University of North Texas, University of North Texas at

Dallas, Texas Woman's University, The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Texas at

Arlington, Texas A&M Commerce and DFW Tech Teach -Texas Tech. Previously only University of

North Texas at Dallas was eligible for an award.

15

In addition, the revised rider stipulates that qualified students must: 1) have demonstrated

financial need, as determined by the completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid

form and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships; 2) Successfully pass the State Board of

Educator Certification Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test; and 3) Maintain a minimum

cumulative 3.0 GPA. The program shall submit a report not later than January 1, 2017 to the

Coordinating Board detailing annual information on the following performance measures:

Student graduation rates from the program;

Passage rates for the Texas Examination of Education Standards Bilingual Education

Supplemental exam and/or the English as a Second Language Supplemental exam; and

Graduate employment data at Texas public school districts.” (III-253 (special provisions),

Sec. 45)

Network Access Improvement Program Annual Report. A new rider requires the public health

related institutions and Coordinating Board to submit an annual report on the clients and services

provided through the Network Access Improvement Program (NAIP) to the governor and the

Legislative Budget Board no later than December 1st of each fiscal year. The report shall include

the following items provided with the funding received through NAIP:

Average monthly Medicaid clients served;

Average monthly Medicaid encounters;

Average monthly Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) clients served; and

(4) Average monthly CHIP encounters.” (III-258 (special provisions), Sec. 59)

Emerging Research Universities Research Funding. A new rider provides for matching funds to

emerging research universities through the Texas Research Incentive Program, “designated under

the Coordinating Board's accountability system, to assist institutions in leveraging private gifts for

the enhancement of research productivity.” (III-260 (special provisions), Sec. 63)

Contingency for House Bill 100. A new rider directs the Coordinating Board to distribute $240

million in fiscal year 2017 to institutions for projects funded through tuition revenue bonds based

on allocations laid out in House Bill 100 (effective September 1, 2015). In addition, the rider

requires the Coordinating Board to present a plan for allocation of the appropriations made in

subsection (a) to the Legislative Budget Board by January 1, 2016. Such allocations require written

approval of the Legislative Budget Board and appropriations are not allowed for use by the

Coordinating Board for administrative purposes. (III-260 (special provisions), Sec. 64)

16

RIDERS IN ARTICLE IX IMPACTING THE COORDINATING BOARD

Article IX of the General Appropriations Act primarily addresses state agency administration, but

it is also the location for contingency riders for bills passed during the legislative session. Only

contingency riders impacting the Coordinating Board where the required legislation was adopted

are included below:

Statewide Capital Planning. A rider requiring the Coordinating Board to consolidate and

streamline reporting by institutions of higher education regarding proposed facilities construction

and renovation was deleted. (IX-48, Sec. 11.02)

Cybersecurity Initiatives. A new rider requires the Coordinating Board and nine other agencies

to coordinate with the Department of Information Resources in producing a report to the

Legislative Budget Board on the status of the cybersecurity initiatives and bulk purchasing efforts

by October 1, 2016. (IX-48, Sec. 9.11)

Funding for Autism Services. A new rider allocates $8,100,000 to the Coordinating Board for

FY2016-17 to distribute to autism research centers at institutions of higher education that

currently provide evidence-based behavioral services and training, in the amounts and for the

purposes as follows:

Parent-directed Treatment: $2.25 million per fiscal year to serve 750 children per year;

Board-certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) Training for Teachers/Paraprofessionals:

$950,000 per fiscal year to serve 2,547 children per year;

Research, development, and evaluation of innovative autism treatment models: $700,000

per fiscal year; and

Administrative support of the programs: $150,000 per fiscal year.

The rider requires the Coordinating Board to gather data on the above programs from the each

institution's autism research center and submit an annual report on the effectiveness of each

program no later than September 1 of each year, beginning on September 1, 2016. (IX-53, Sec.

10.05) See also page III-55, Rider 68.

Appropriation for a Salary Increase for General State Employees. A rider changes the state

employee salary increase from 2 to 2.5 percent, to offset an increase in the employee contribution

to the Employees Retirement System. (IX-79, Sec. 18.02)

Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel Systems Deployments. A new rider provides

$1,390,400 to the Coordinating Board for the purpose of operating and maintaining the

Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS). The rider also authorizes the

Coordinating Board to add four Full Time-Equivalents (FTE) to assist with the deployment of

CAPPS in the 2016-17 biennium. (IX-80, Sec. 18.03)

17

Contingency for House Bill 700. The rider provides that, with the enactment of House Bill 700

(effective September 1, 2015), institutions of higher education will be allocated $65,324,057 in

unexpended tuition set aside balances in the General Revenue-Dedicated Texas B-On-Time

Account 5103. (IX-89, Sec. 18.38)

Contingency for Senate Bill 239. A new rider provides the Coordinating Board $850,000 in

General Revenue in FY2016 and $1,275,000 in FY2017 for the creation of a student loan repayment

assistance program for mental health professionals. Senate Bill 239 is effective September 1, 2015.

(IX-94, Sec. 18.60)

Contingency Riders for House Bill 1752, Senate Bill 143, and Senate Bill 215. Contingency

riders related to legislation affecting the Coordinating Board from the 83rd Legislature were

deleted. (IX-77, 80 & 81, Sec. 18.17, 18.34 & 18.37, respectively)

Contingency for House Bill 7, House Bill 26, or Senate Bill 632, Providing for the Disposition

of the Emerging Technology Fund and Creation of the Governor's University Research

Initiative. A new rider appropriates $9 million from the Emerging Technology Fund No. 5124 to

the Texas Research Incentive Program. A total of $102 million is to be appropriated from the

dissolved Fund 5124: Texas Enterprise Fund $45 million; Texas Research Incentive Program $9

million; Texas Research University Fund $8 million; Governor's University Research Initiative $40

million. (IX-96, Sec. 18.70)

18

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

HB 909 TASTING OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES BY STUDENTS ENROLLED IN CERTAIN COURSES

Author: Phillips Sponsor: Watson

HB 909 allows minors to taste an alcoholic beverage if the minor is at least 18 years old and is

enrolled as a student and in a course at a public or private institution of higher education, career

school, or college that offers a program in culinary arts, viticulture, enology or wine technology,

brewing or beer technology, or distilled spirits production or technology. “Taste” means to draw

a beverage into the mouth without swallowing or otherwise consuming the beverage. The

beverage must be tasted for educational purposes as part of the curriculum for the course, may

not be purchased by the minor, and the tasting of the beverage must be supervised by a faculty

or staff member who is at least 21 years of age. The institution of higher education offering the

course or program is not required to hold a license or permit to engage in these activities.

Code Reference: Amends Section 106.05(b), and 106.06(b) of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage

Code

Adds Section 106.16 to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code

Effective Date: September 1, 2015

Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No

CB Reporting Requirement: No

Lead THECB Division: Academic Quality and Workforce

HB 1992 GRANTING OF UNDERGRADUATE COURSE CREDIT BY ADVANCED PLACEMENT

EXAMINATION AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Author: Zerwas Sponsor: Seliger

HB 1992 prohibits institutions of higher education from establishing a minimum required score

on an Advanced Placement examination greater than three for granting lower-division course

credit, unless the institution’s chief academic officer makes an evidence-based determination that

a higher score is necessary to indicate a student is sufficiently prepared to be successful in a

related, more advanced course for which the lower-division course is a prerequisite.

The bill requires the Coordinating Board to submit a report that examines the academic

performance of students at institutions of higher education who received undergraduate course

credit for achieving a score of three on one or more Advanced Placement examinations. The

Coordinating Board is required to submit the report and make recommendations for legislative

19

or administrative action to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the House of

Representatives, and the standing legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over higher

education not later than January 1, 2017.

The bill also requires the Coordinating Board to conduct a study comparing the performance,

retention rates, and graduation rates of undergraduate students at institutions of higher

education who complete a lower-division course and students who receive lower-division course

credit for the same course for achieving a score of three or more on Advanced Placement

examinations, disaggregated by score. The Coordinating Board is required to submit a report on

the study and make recommendations for legislative or administrative action to the governor, the

lieutenant governor, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the standing legislative

committees with primary jurisdiction over higher education not later than January 1, 2019.

Code Reference: Adds Sections 51.968(c-1) and 61.0518 to the Texas Education Code

Effective Date: June 3, 2015

Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No

CB Reporting Requirement: Yes

Lead CB Division: Academic Quality and Workforce

HB 3078 CREATION OF AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND A UNIFORM PRE-NURSING

CURRICULUM FOR UNDERGRADUATE PROFESSIONAL NURSING PROGRAMS OFFERED BY

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Author: Darby Sponsor: Seliger

HB 3078 creates the Uniform Pre-Nursing Curriculum Advisory Committee to develop and make

recommendations to the Legislature regarding the creation of a uniform pre-nursing curriculum

for undergraduate professional nursing programs offered by institutions of higher education. The

recommendations must specify the prerequisite courses a student must complete to qualify for

consideration for admission to an undergraduate professional nursing program and the content

for such courses. The bill requires the advisory committee to assess the prerequisite courses

required for each undergraduate professional nursing program in Texas and the ability of a

student to use course credit earned at one institution of higher education for admission to an

undergraduate professional nursing program at another institution of higher education. The

advisory committee is required to submit a report containing the committee’s findings and

recommended uniform pre-nursing curriculum to the Legislature no later than December 1, 2016.

Code Reference: Adds Section 61.0261 to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

20

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 1470 ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE AUTHORIZATION RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS FOR

POSTSECONDARY DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES

Author: Watson Sponsor: Raney

SB 1470 authorizes the Coordinating Board to enter on behalf of the state into a state

authorization reciprocity agreement among states, districts, and territories regarding the delivery

of postsecondary distance education. The state authorization reciprocity agreement establishes

comparable standards for the provision of distance education by public or private degree-

granting postsecondary educational institutions in each of the states, districts, or territories

covered by the agreement to students of the other states, districts, or territories covered under

the agreement.

The bill requires the Coordinating Board to apply to an appropriate organization for that purpose

and to administer the agreement, including establishing an application and approval process for

a degree-granting postsecondary educational institution with its principal campus located in

Texas to participate under the agreement and by maintaining a dispute resolution procedure for

complaints regarding participating postsecondary educational institutions located in Texas. The

Coordinating Board is required to create and administer rules for this program.

If an institution outside Texas is operating under a reciprocity agreement and violates the

agreement or relevant laws or rules, the Coordinating Board is to take appropriate action to

terminate the institution’s operations in Texas. An institution from outside of Texas may operate

without Coordinating Board approval if the institution is operating under the state authorization

reciprocity agreement.

The Coordinating Board shall, not later than September 1, 2016, submit to the Southern Regional

Education Board or other appropriate organization a plan and application for entering into a state

authorization reciprocity agreement.

Code Reference: Amends 61.401 and 61.404 of the Texas Education Code

Adds 61.05121 to the Texas Education Code

Effective Date: May 23, 2015

Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes



21

DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION

HB 1054 DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS UNDER THE TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE FOR


Author: Clardy Sponsor: Zaffirini

HB 1054 amends statute relating to the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) to add a “Base Academic

Skills Education” (BASE) level to developmental education definitions. BASE is defined as non-

course, competency-based developmental education programs and interventions designed for

students whose performance falls below college-readiness standards. Institutions of higher

education may refer BASE students to developmental education coursework to address student’s

deficiencies prior to enrolling in college-level academic coursework. The changes made by HB

1054 apply beginning with the 2016-2017 academic year.

Code Reference: Amends various sections of 51.3062 of the Texas Education Code

Adds Section 51.3062(f-1)


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes


Lead THECB Division: College Readiness and Success

SB 1776 EXEMPTION FROM THE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS OF THE TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE

FOR STUDENTS WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE CERTAIN COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSES

Author: Menendez Sponsor: Guillen

SB 1776 establishes that each high school student who successfully completes certain college

preparatory courses are exempt from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment with respect to

the content area of each course for the two-year period following the date the student graduates

from high school.

Under this bill, student exemption is dependent upon the student enrolling in the first college-

level course in the exempted content area in the student's first year of enrollment at an institution

of higher education. The bill requires the institution, if the student earns a grade below a "C" in

the first college-level course in the exempted content area, to advise the student of non-course-

based options for becoming college ready, such as tutoring or accelerated learning.

22

Additionally, this bill removes the requirement that the commissioner of higher education by rule

establish the period for which the exemption is valid. The bill requires the Coordinating Board to

collect and analyze data regarding the effectiveness of college preparatory courses as measured

by their first college-level courses in exempted content areas. The Coordinating Board is required

to report its findings to all partnering institutions of higher education and to the independent

school districts of each college preparatory course evaluated, as well as to state leadership (the

governor, lieutenant governor, speaker, and members of the House and Senate Committees on

Higher Education). The bill's provisions apply beginning with the assessment of entering

undergraduate students at public institutions of higher education in the 2015 fall semester.

Code Reference: Amends Section 51.3062(q-2) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



23

EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS

HB 1300 QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO BE ADMITTED TO EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS

Author: Capriglione Sponsor: Seliger

HB 1300 permits an educator preparation program to admit, in extraordinary circumstances, a

person who failed to satisfy a minimum grade-point average required for admission to an

educator preparation program. The State Board of Education (SBOE) must adopt rules to permit

student admission into an educator preparation program for a student who performs satisfactorily

on an appropriate subject-matter exam for each subject in which the person seeks certification.

Code Reference: Amends Section 21.0441(b) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 2205 EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS AND CERTIFICATION, ISSUANCE OF CERTAIN

TEACHING PERMITS, AND CERTAIN PROCEDURES FOR INVESTIGATING EDUCATOR

MISCONDUCT

Author: Crownover Sponsor: Seliger

State Board for Educator Certification

HB 2205 increases the membership of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) from 14

to 15 members and makes changes regarding the governor’s appointments. The governor is

required to appoint two non-voting members to SBEC, which must include a dean of a college of

education in Texas and a person who has experience working for, and knowledge of, an alternative

educator preparation program who is not affiliated with an institution of higher education. The

bill permits the SBEC to make a written delegation of authority to the commissioner of education

or the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to informally dispose of a contested case involving educator

certification.

Educator Certification and Preparation Programs

House Bill 2205 also expands the requirement for certified teachers and persons who obtain a

certificate through an alternative certification program to obtain training in detecting and

educating students with dyslexia. The minimum grade-point average required for admission into

24

any educator preparation program is lowered to 2.5 on any coursework previously attempted or,

the equivalent for the last 60 semester credit hours attempted at a public or private institution of

higher education. In addition, each incoming class admitted to an educator preparation program

must have an overall grade-point average of not less than 3.0 on a four-point scale or higher, if

prescribed by the SBEC. The overall grade-point average of the incoming class may include all

previously attempted coursework or be based only on the last 60 semester credit hours attempted.

Persons seeking career and technology education certification are not included in determining

the overall grade-point average of an incoming class.

SBEC is required to establish standards for the approval and renewal of educator preparation

programs to ensure programs adequately prepare candidates for educator certification. The SBEC

must require each program to be reviewed for renewal at least every five years.

A person may not retake an educator certification exam more than four times unless the SBEC

waives the limitation for good cause as prescribed by the board. A person who initially took an

exam before September 1, 2015, may retake the examination up to four times after that date,

regardless of the number of times the person attempted to perform satisfactorily on the exam

before that date. This provision expires September 1, 2018.

A school district superintendent, with the approval of the board of trustees, may issue a teaching

permit to a person that does not hold a teaching certificate or a bachelor’s degree, subject to

demonstrating expertise, formal training and education, and a variety of other standards, if the

person will teach only non-core academic career and technical education courses. The school

district shall require the new employee to obtain at least 20 hours of classroom management

training and to comply with continuing education requirements. The board of trustees must notify

the commissioner of education, via a written statement, about the employment of such a person,

the course the person will teach, and the person’s qualifications to teach the course.

Accountability System for Educator Preparation Programs

HB 2205 expands the information reported in the accountability system for educator preparation

programs to include information regarding teacher candidates completing student teaching, and

data related to the program’s compliance with requirements for field supervision of candidates

during their clinical teaching and internship experiences. The SBEC is directed to develop a set of

risk factors to use in assessing the overall risk level of each educator preparation program to

include a history of the program’s compliance with state law and board rules, standards and

procedures, and whether the program meets accountability standards. The TEA shall use the set

of risk factors to guide the agency in conducting monitoring, inspections, and compliance audits

of educator preparation programs.

Issuance of Subpoenas

The bill allows the commissioner of education to issue a subpoena in the course of an educator

misconduct investigation.

25



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 1309 ESTABLISHMENT OF A JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS TEACHING CERTIFICATE

AND ELIGIBILITY OF SUCH CERTIFIED TEACHER FOR OTHER EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION

Author: Menendez Sponsor: Deshotel

SB 1309 requires the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to establish a standard Junior

Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) teaching certificate to program JROTC instruction. To be

eligible for the certificate, a person must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

of higher education, satisfy the eligibility and testing requirements for certification as a JROTC

instructor established by the branch of service in which the person served, and complete an

approved educator preparation program.

SBEC is directed to propose rules to approve educator preparation programs to prepare a person

as a teacher for certification and establish requirements under which a person’s training and

experience acquired during the person’s military service serves as proof of subject-matter

knowledge, and a person’s employment by a school districts as a JROTC instructor before a

student was enrolled in an educator preparation program or while enrolled, to satisfy any student

teaching, internship, or field-based experience required.

The bill specifies that for purposes of certification as a principal, an individual who receives the

JROTC teaching certificate is considered to hold a classroom teaching certificate and may count

any period during which the individual was employed by a school district as a JROTC instructor,

before or after certification, as creditable years of teaching experience as a classroom teacher.



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



26

HEALTH-RELATED PROGRAMS

HB 495 USING MONEY FROM THE PERMANENT FUND FOR HEALTH-RELATED PROGRAMS TO

PROVIDE GRANTS TO NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Author: Howard Sponsor: Hinojosa

HB 495 extends the limitation on the use of the interest earnings from the Permanent Fund for

the Higher Education Nursing, Allied Health and Other Health-Related Education Program to

support only nursing through 2019.

The bill also extends the restriction on the awards made under this program to initial licensure

registered nursing programs and programs preparing qualified faculty to obtain a master’s or

doctoral degree.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 63.202(f) and (g) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 3781 CREATING THE TEXAS HEALTH IMPROVEMENT NETWORK (THIN)

Author: Crownover Sponsor: Watson

HB 3781 establishes a network of health professionals and health related experts to address

urgent health care challenges and improve the healthcare system in Texas and the nation. The

network would develop - based on population health research - health care initiatives, policies,

and best practices.

The bill establishes 13 specifically defined types of experts for the network to be drawn from

medical fields (including nursing and pharmacy), the sciences, public policy, health services, and

engineering/computer science.

The University of Texas System will administer and coordinate the network and provide

administrative support.

27

The bill requires the network to report results of efforts, findings, and activities to the Legislature,

state and federal partners, and other interested entities.

A network advisory council is established and is to be composed of state and national leaders in

population health; experts in traditional public health and medical fields; and leaders in the fields

of behavioral health, business, insurance, philanthropy, education, and health law/policy.

Code Reference: Adds Chapter 118 to Subtitle E, Title 2 to the Texas Health and Safety Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking No



SB 18 MEASURES TO SUPPORT OR ENHANCE GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION

Author: Nelson Sponsor: Zerwas

SB 18 makes key revisions to streamline and improve the efficiency of existing Graduate Medical

Education (GME) Expansion Programs and sets up a Permanent Fund Supporting GME from funds

transferred from the Texas Medical Liability Insurance Underwriting Association. Funds from the

permanent fund will be used to support GME programs established by SB 18.

The bill makes the following changes:

Creates a special fund in the treasury outside the General Revenue fund consisting of

monies transferred or appropriated by the Legislature, gifts and grants to the fund, and

investment returns on the fund. The Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company shall

administer the fund and determine the amount available for distribution.

Allows the Coordinating Board to limit or withhold funding from any grant recipient that

does not comply with reporting requirements or that uses grant funding for a purpose not

authorized by this chapter for the grant award. It also directs the Coordinating Board to

seek reimbursement with respect to grant funds that are not used for purposes authorized.

Authorizes the Coordinating Board to award one-time grants to support graduate medical

education planning and partnership grants to hospitals, medical schools, and community-

based ambulatory patient care centers that seek to develop new GME programs with first-

year residency positions.

Allows GME programs that received Unfilled Residency Position Grants for positions that

were unfilled as of July 1, 2013, to be maintained for the duration, if it is filled by the

resident who initially filled the position. It also expands the use of funds to allow residency

28

programs to increase resident stipends and benefits and other direct resident costs to the

program.

Allows new GME programs to receive funding through the program. The revision will allow

programs that previously received funding to continue to receive funding for the duration

of the period in which the resident who initially fills the residency position continues to

hold that position.

Authorizes the Coordinating Board to set priorities in awarding new grants to medical

specialties determined by the Board to be at critical shortage levels.

Allows entities that received a grant under any of the GME Expansion programs, including

the Resident Physician Expansion Program, to be eligible if they continue to meet

applicable grant requirements that existed at the time of the initial award.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 58A.001, 58A.022, 58A.023 and 58A.024 of the Texas

Education Code

Adds 58A.002, 58A.003, 58A.0245 and 58A.0246 to the Texas Education

Code

Adds Section 105.009 to the Health and Safety Code

Adds Subchapter J to the Texas Insurance Code

Repeals Sections 58A.025 and Section 61.511 of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: HB 1 appropriates $53 million to the Coordinating Board for Graduate

Medical Education Expansion

CB Rulemaking: Yes



SB 295 TRACKING CAREER INFORMATION FOR GRADUATES OF TEXAS MEDICAL SCHOOLS AND

PERSONS COMPLETING MEDICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAMS IN TEXAS

Author: Schwertner Sponsor: Guillen

SB 295 directs the Coordinating Board, by rule, to establish and maintain a tracking system to

capture initial residency training locations of Texas medical school graduates and initial practice

locations for completers of Texas medical residency programs. The tracking system must use any

data reasonably available to the Board, including data maintained by or accessible to medical

schools or residency programs in Texas, and collect practice location data for two years following

residency completion. Data collected for Texas residency completers will also include medical

specialty and indicate whether the physician is in a primary care specialty. Emergency rulemaking

is granted to the Coordinating Board.

29

Code Reference: Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code


Appropriation: No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

CB Rulemaking: Yes



SB 1466 DEFINITION OF MEDICAL SCHOOLS FOR MEDICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAMS

Author: Watson Sponsor: Clardy

SB 1466 amends the Education Code to include in the definition of “medical schools” the

following: the medical schools at The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas Rio

Grande Valley and the medical education program of The University of Texas Health Science

Center at Tyler.

The bill clarifies that the inclusion of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center applies to

the medical school at the institution and that the inclusion of Texas A&M University applies to the

medical school at the Texas A&M University Health Science Center.

Code Reference: Amends Section 61.501(1) of the Texas Education Code

Adds Section 134.001(l) to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



30

TRANSFER

HB 2628 DEVELOPMENT AND ALIGNMENT BY THE COORDINATING BOARD OF CURRICULA FOR

CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Author: Clardy Sponsor: Garcia

HB 2628 requires the Coordinating Board, with the assistance of an advisory committee, to

periodically review each Field of Study curriculum to ensure alignment with student interest and

academic and industry needs. Approved Fields of Study curricula will provide a statewide

guarantee of transfer of course credit to any public college or university in Texas, and further

promises that the courses in the approved Field of Study will apply to a student’s relevant degree

program.

The legislation also requires the Coordinating Board to assemble advisory committees composed

of representatives from institutions of higher education, career and technical education experts,

business and industry, college and career readiness experts, and other agencies or licensing

bodies to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to prepare students for high-skill,

high-wage jobs in high-demand occupations. The Programs of Study developed are required to

include rigorous college and career readiness standards, support employability, incorporate

multiple entry and exit points, and culminate in the attainment of: 1) an industry-recognized

certification, credential, or license; or 2) a registered apprenticeship or credit-bearing

postsecondary certificate; or an associate or baccalaureate degree.

Code Reference: Adds Sections 61.823(e) and 61.8235 to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes



31

RESEARCH

HB 7 IMPLEMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD TO REDUCE

RELIANCE ON GENERAL REVENUE-DEDICATED ACCOUNTS

Author: Darby Sponsor: Nelson

HB 7 creates the “Governor’s University Research Initiative Fund” (GURIF) as a dedicated account

in the general revenue fund. Monies placed in the GURIF are to be allocated by the Texas Economic

Development and Tourism Office within the Office of the Governor (Office). The Office shall award

matching grants to assist eligible institutions in recruiting distinguished researchers, preferentially

but not exclusively in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). (Note: SB 632

on page 34 also establishes the GURIF. Other sections of HB 7 that are not research related are

summarized on page 53.)

Code Reference: Amends Section 155.2415 of the Texas Tax Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No


Lead CB Division: Financial Services

HB 177 RESEARCH, COLLECTION, AND USE OF ADULT STEM CELLS

Author: Zedler Sponsor: Bettencourt

HB 177 establishes the Adult Stem Cell Research Consortium administered by the Texas Adult

Stem Cell Research Coordinating Board. The bill states that the Texas Adult Stem Cell Research

Consortium will be composed of participating institutions of higher education and businesses that

accept public money for adult stem cell research or otherwise agree to participate in the

consortium.

The Texas Adult Stem Cell Research Coordinating Board will develop research priorities,

guidelines, and procedures for providing grants and loans to consortium members for specific

projects. The priorities, guidelines, and procedures would require that grants and loans be made

through a competitive peer reviewed process.

Funding to support the proposed program will be provided through gifts, grants, and donations.

Legislative appropriations cannot be used to support the program.

32

Code Reference: Adds Chapter 156 to Subtitle H, Title 3 of the Texas Education Code

Adds Sections 162.001(4), 162.020, 1003.002, and 1003.003 to the Texas

Health and Safety Code

Amends Chapter 1003 of the Texas Health and Safety Code


Appropriation: No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated, due to the bill's prohibition

on the program being funded with legislative appropriations.

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 1000 MAKES CHANGES TO THE TEXAS COMPETITIVE KNOWLEDGE FUND AND RENAMES IT AS

THE TEXAS RESEARCH UNIVERSITY FUND, RENAMES THE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT FUND

AS THE COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH FUND, AND CREATES THE CORE RESEARCH SUPPORT

FUND


HB 1000 changes the name of two existing research support funds and creates a third one, while

also changing which type of institution is eligible for which fund:

The Texas Competitive Knowledge Fund, presently designated for research universities and

emerging research universities, becomes the Texas Research University Fund, designated

for research universities only;

The Core Research Support Fund is a new fund, designated for emerging research

universities only; and

The Research Development Fund, presently designated for all universities except The

University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University, becomes the Texas

Comprehensive Research Fund, designated for all institutions that are neither research

universities nor emerging research universities

The funding method for the new Core Research Support Fund and the Texas Comprehensive

Research Fund will be by legislative appropriation. The basis for the appropriation will still be

restricted research expenditures, in the case of the Texas Comprehensive Research Fund, and will

be a combination, in equal parts, of restricted research expenditures and total research

expenditures for the Core Research Support Fund. The allocation for the Research Development

Fund will be based on total research expenditures.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 62.051(1) and (2), 62.052, 62.053, 62.091, 62.092 62.093,

62.095, 62.096, and 62.097 of the Texas Education Code

Adds Chapter 62, Subchapter F-1 to the Texas Education Code

33

Repeals Sections 62.0925 and 62.094 of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes



SB 44 CLARIFYING THAT PRIVATE GIFTS FOR FINANCIAL AID RECEIVED BY AN EMERGING

RESEARCH INSTITUTION ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A STATE MATCH UNDER THE TEXAS

RESEARCH INCENTIVE PROGRAM

Author: Zaffirini Sponsor: Howard

SB 44 adds undergraduate research to the list of types of private gifts/endowments that can be

used to make a donor match in the Texas Research Incentive Program (TRIP). It also clarifies that

undergraduate financial aid grants are not eligible for matching funds.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 62.123(a) and (b) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes



SB 632 CREATING THE GOVERNOR'S UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INITIATIVE AND ABOLISHING THE

TEXAS EMERGING TECHNOLOGY FUND

Author: Fraser Sponsor: Button

SB 632 amends Chapter 62, Education Code, to create a “Governor’s University Research Initiative

Fund” (GURIF) as a dedicated account in the general revenue fund. Monies placed in the GURIF

are to be allocated by the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office within the Office of

the Governor (Office). The Office shall award matching grants to assist eligible institutions in

recruiting distinguished researchers, preferentially but not exclusively in science, technology,

engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

SB 632 repeals Chapter 490, Government Code and the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. It also

abolishes any Regional Centers of Innovation and Commercialization established by Chapter 490.

34

All assets are transferred to the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company. Unexpended cash

balances of the Emerging Technology Fund are to be divided between the Texas Research

Incentive Program (TRIP), the Texas Research University Fund (TRUF), the Governor’s University

Research Fund (GURIF), the Texas Enterprise Fund, and the Comptroller for expenses incurred in

managing the state’s portfolio.

Code Reference: Adds Chapter 62, Subchapter H to the Texas Education Code

Adds Sections 490.104 and 490.101 (b-1) and (b-2) to the Texas

Government Code

Repeals Sections 490.101(c), (d), (e), (f), (f-1), (g), (h), and (i), 490.102,

490.103 and Subchapters A, B, D, E, F, and G of Chapter 490 of the Texas

Government Code


Appropriation: HB 1 appropriates $102 million from the Emerging Technology Fund to the

Texas Enterprise Fund ($45M), Texas Research Incentive Fund ($9M), Texas

Research University Fund ($8M) and GURIF ($40M)

CB Rulemaking: No



35

ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

HB 197 REQUIRING PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO POST INFORMATION

REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES ON THE INSTITUTION’S WEBSITE

Author: Price Sponsor: Nelson

HB 197 requires public institutions of higher education to dedicate a web page on the institution’s

website solely to information regarding the mental health resources available to students at the

institution. The web page must include the address of the nearest local mental health authority.

Code Reference: Adds Sections 51.9193(a), (b) and (c) to Subchapter Z, Chapter 51 of the

Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 855 REQUIRING AGENCIES’ WEBSITES TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE MOST RECENT VERSION OF

EACH BROWSER LISTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION RESOURCES AND WITH A

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE

Author: Sanford Sponsor: Taylor, Van

HB 855 requires the Coordinating Board and other agencies to ensure that its main website is

generally accessible by the latest version of the top three browsers as determined by the

Department of Information Resources on a biannual basis.

Code Reference: Subchapter F, Chapter 2054, Government Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No


Lead CB Division: Information Solutions and Services

36

HB 1287 REQUIREMENT FOR EACH STATE UNIVERSITY’S WEBSITE TO INCLUDE A LINK TO CERTAIN

EMPLOYMENT DATA

Author: Simmons Sponsor: Burton

HB 1287 directs all general academic teaching institutions, other than a state college, to provide

a link to the Texas Consumer Resource for Education and Workforce Statistics (Texas CREWS)

website at a prominent location on the institution's Internet website. General academic teaching

institutions must comply with this legislation as soon as practicable following the effective date,

but not later than February 1, 2016.



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No


Lead THECB Division: Strategic Planning and Funding

37

ADMISSIONS

HB 2472 AUTOMATIC ADMISSION OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS

AT AUSTIN

Author: Zerwas Sponsor: Watson

HB 2472 extends The University of Texas at Austin’s authority to limit indefinitely top 10 percent

automatic admissions to 75 percent of the institution’s enrollment capacity designated for first-

time resident undergraduate students.

Code Reference: Repeals Section 51.803(a-3) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 1543 ADMISSION OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WITH NONTRADITIONAL SECONDARY

EDUCATION TO PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Author: Perry Sponsor: Frank

SB 1543 requires an institution of higher education, if it considers class ranking in its

undergraduate admission process, to place any student who successfully completes a

nontraditional secondary education that does not have a high school graduating class ranking at

the average, high school-graduating-class rank of applicants whose standardized testing score

are equivalent to the student's scores.

Code Reference: Amends 51.9241(b) of the Texas Education Code

Adds 51.9241(d) to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



38

SB 2031 DATE FOR PUBLICATION OF THE FACTORS CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION TO A NEW

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

Author: Watson Sponsor: Howard

SB 2031 creates an exception to the statutory posting timeline for new graduate and professional

programs, if the accrediting body necessitates a different timeline. The admissions and scholarship

criteria must be published as soon as practicable once the accrediting body permits.

Code Reference: Adds Section 51.842(e) to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



39

APPROPRIATIONS/FUNDING

HB 100 AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS TO FUND CAPITAL PROJECTS AT PUBLIC

INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION


HB 100 amends the Texas Education Code to authorize the issuance of Tuition Revenue Bonds

(TRBs). The total amount of bonds authorized by this bill is $3,102,952,000.

Section 1 of the bill specifies the amount of bonds authorized, conditions for issuance, and

projects:

INSTITUTION PROJECT NAME HB 100

Texas A&M University - Commerce Nursing and Health Sciences Building $48,000,000

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Life Sciences Research and Engineering

Building $60,000,000

Texas A&M University - Kingsville Educational Complex $60,000,000

Texas A&M University - Texarkana Academic and Student Service Building $32,000,000

West Texas A&M University Agricultural Sciences Complex $38,160,000

West Texas A&M University Renovation of the Amarillo Center $7,200,000

Texas A&M University System Health

Science Center

Dental Clinic Facility at the Baylor

College of Dentistry $72,000,000

Texas A&M University System Health

Science Center

Multidisciplinary Research and

Education Facility in Bryan, Texas $72,000,000

Texas A&M International University Library Renovation through the addition

of instructional and support space $55,200,000

Prairie View A&M University Fabrication Center and capital

improvements $28,632,000

Tarleton State University Applied Sciences Building $54,000,000

Tarleton State University Southwest Metroplex Building in Tarrant

County $39,600,000

Texas A&M University Biocontainment Research Facility $75,000,000

Texas A&M University at Galveston Classroom and Laboratory Facility and

Campus Infrastructure $60,000,000

Texas A&M University - Central Texas Multipurpose Building $36,000,000

Texas A&M University - San Antonio Science and Technology Building and

Campus Infrastructure $63,000,000

The University of Texas at Austin Renovation of Robert A. Welch Hall $75,000,000

The University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley Multipurpose Academic Center at the

Campus in Brownsville $36,432,000

40


The University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley Interdisciplinary Engineering Academic

Studies Building in Edinburg $30,600,000

The University of Texas Southwestern

Medical Center

Construction and Renovation of a

Vivarium and Academic and Laboratory

Facilities

$80,000,000

The University of Texas Health Science

Center at San Antonio Facility renewal and renovation $80,000,000

The University of Texas M.D. Anderson

Cancer Center

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan


The University of Texas Medical Branch at

Galveston Health Education Center $67,800,000

The University of Texas at Arlington Science and Engineering Innovation and

Research Building $70,000,000

The University of Texas at Dallas Engineering Building $70,000,000

The University of Texas at El Paso Interdisciplinary Research Facility $70,000,000

The University of Texas at San Antonio Instructional Science and Engineering


The University of Texas at Tyler STEM Building $60,000,000


Center at Houston

Renovation and Modernization of

educational and research facilities $80,000,000


Center at Tyler


educational and research facilities $14,800,000

The University of Texas of the Permian

Basin Engineering and Kinesiology Buildings $48,000,000

University of Houston Health and Biomedical Sciences Center $63,000,000

University of Houston New Academic Building in Sugarland, TX $54,000,000

University of Houston - Clear Lake Health Sciences and Classroom Building

in Pearland, TX $24,624,000

University of Houston - Clear Lake STEM and Classroom Building $54,000,000

University of Houston - Downtown Science and Technology Building $60,000,000

University of Houston - Victoria Academic expansion and land

acquisition $60,000,000

University of Houston System Construction of a building and land

purchase near Katy $46,832,000

Lamar University Science Building $60,000,000

Lamar State College - Orange Multipurpose Education Building $10,000,000

Lamar State College - Port Arthur Expansion of Technology Program

Facilities $8,080,000

Lamar Institute of Technology Construction and Renovation of the

Technical Arts Buildings $12,500,000

Texas State University Engineering and Science Building $63,000,000

41


Texas State University - San Marcos Health Professions Building in Round

Rock, TX $48,600,000

Sam Houston State University Biology Laboratory Building $48,000,000

Sul Ross State University


Educational and Related Facilities and

Infrastructure

$6,240,000

University of North Texas System Renovations of College of Law Buildings $56,000,000

University of North Texas Construction and Renovation of College

of Visual Arts and Design Facilities $70,000,000

University of North Texas at Dallas Student Learning and Success Center $63,000,000

University of North Texas Health Science

Center at Fort Worth Interdisciplinary Research Building $80,000,000

Texas Woman's University Laboratory Building $37,997,000

Midwestern State University Academic Expansion and revitalization $58,400,000

Stephen F. Austin State University Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics Research Building $46,400,000

Texas Tech University Health Sciences

Center

Lubbock education, research, and

technology facilities $60,264,000


Center Permian Basin Academic Facility $14,256,000


Center

Amarillo Panhandle Clinical/Hospital

Simulation $5,715,000


Center at El Paso El Paso Medical Science Building II $75,520,000

Texas Tech University Experimental Sciences High Tech

Interdisciplinary Research Building $70,000,000

Angelo State University College of Health and Human Services


Texas Southern University Robert J. Terry Library $60,000,000

Texas State Technical College - West Texas Industrial Technology Center $12,000,000

Texas State Technical College - Harlingen Phase II of the Engineering Technology

Center Renovation $3,750,000

Texas State Technical College - Waco Fort Bend Campus Building #2 $14,950,000

Texas State Technical College - Marshall Purchase and Renovation of the North

Texas Technology Center $11,040,000

Total $3,102,952,000

Code Reference: Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is amended by adding Sections

55.1781, 55.1782, 55.1783, 55.1784, 55.1785, 55.1786, 55.1787, 55.1788,

55.1789, 55.17891, and 55.17892

Sections 55.17721(d) and (e), Education Code, are repealed.

42


Appropriation: Debt service costs of $240 million in FY2017 included in HB 1; one-time

allocation methodology will be determined by affected systems and

institutions through negotiated rulemaking.

CB Rulemaking: No


Lead CB Division: Strategic Planning and Funding

SB 1191 CONTINUING THE HIGHER EDUCATION FUND AND ALLOCATING ANNUAL

CONSTITUTIONAL APPROPRIATIONS TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Author: Seliger Sponsor: Crownover

SB 1191 amends the Texas Education Code to continue the Higher Education Fund (HEF) and

provides for the allocation to remain at $262.5 million in FY 2016 but increase to $393.75 million

in FY 2017.

Section 1 provides language reflecting a status quo funding level for 2016, with an increase

effective in 2017:

INSTITUTION FY2016 FY2017

Texas A&M Corpus Christi 7,424,229 11,136,344

Texas A&M University-Kingsville 5,977,371 8,966,056

Texas A&M International University 4,473,273 6,709,910

West Texas A&M University 4,776,272 7,164,408

Texas A&M University-Commerce 7,190,875 10,786,313

Texas A&M University -Texarkana 1,215,922 1,823,883

University of Houston 35,180,036 52,770,054

University of Houston-Clear Lake 5,336,744 8,005,116

University of Houston-Downtown 7,835,252 11,752,877

University of Houston-Victoria 2,850,574 4,275,861

Midwestern State University 3,374,275 5,061,412

University of North Texas 25,041,370 37,562,056

University of North Texas-Dallas 1,408,669 2,113,004

University of North Texas Health

Science Center 11,394,570 17,091,856

Stephen F. Austin State University 7,757,442 11,636,163

Texas Southern University 7,773,229 11,659,843

Texas Tech University 32,817,206 49,225,809

Angelo State University 3,546,735 5,320,102

43

INSTITUTION FY2016 FY2017

Texas Tech University Health Science

Center 15,581,597 23,372,396

Texas Tech University Health Science

Center-El Paso 4,156,050 6,234,075

Texas Woman’s University 9,897,706 14,846,558

Lamar University 9,401,255 14,101,882

Lamar-Institute of Technology 1,720,347 2,580,521

Lamar-Orange 1,129,562 1,694,343

Lamar-Port Arthur 1,438,523 2,157,784

Sam Houston State University 11,553,239 17,329,858

Texas State University 24,775,170 37,162,755

Sul Ross State University 1,423,682 2,135,523

Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande 273,825 410,738

Allocated Total $ 256,725,000 $ 385,087,500

Texas State Technical College System 5,775,000 8,662,500

Total $ 262,500,000 $ 393,750,000

Code Reference: Section 62.021, Education Code

Section 62.024, Education Code

Section 62.027(c), Education Code

Effective Date: The amounts allocated in SB 1191 apply to the state fiscal year beginning

September 1, 2015.

Appropriation: $131,250,000 over the base amount of $262.5 million, beginning in fiscal

year 2017.

CB Rulemaking: No



44

CAREER SCHOOLS

HB 1049 CLASSIFICATION OF LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPY PROGRAMS AS POSTSECONDARY

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Author: Rodríguez, Eddie Sponsor: Rodríguez

HB 1049 explicitly designates the course of instruction in massage therapy as a postsecondary

education program and authorizes massage schools that provide instruction to persons beyond

the age of compulsory education to operate educational programs in massage therapy at the

postsecondary level.

Code Reference: Amends Section 455.203 of the Texas Occupations Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



45

COMMUNITY, STATE AND TECHNICAL COLLEGES

HB 382 REQUIRING THE SOUTH TEXAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT TO ADOPT AND

IMPLEMENT A PLAN TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITY FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS IN A

CERTAIN LOCATION

Author: Canales Sponsor: Lucio, Jr.

HB 382 requires the board of trustees of the South Texas Community College District to adopt

and implement a plan to expand opportunity for instructional programs consisting of

postsecondary courses leading to an associate degree offered in a classroom setting within the

corporate limits of the municipality of Edcouch or Elsa at the beginning of the 2019-2020

academic year. The plan, leading to a branch campus, center, or extension facility must be within

the role and scope of the college as determined by the Coordinating Board.

Code Reference: Adds Section 130.254 to Subchapter K of the Texas Education Code

Sections 130.086, 130.0865, and 130.087 of the Texas Education Code are

transferred to Subchapter K, Chapter 130 and redesignated as Sections

130.251, 130.252, and 130.253


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 658 CREATION OF A CAMPUS OF THE TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM IN FORT BEND

COUNTY

Author: Zerwas Sponsor: Kolkhorst

HB 658 establishes a Texas State Technical College (TSTC) campus in Fort Bend County.

Code Reference: Amends Section 135.02(a) and 135.04(b) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



46

HB 1051 CREATING A CAMPUS OF THE TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM LOCATED IN ELLIS

COUNTY

Author: Wray Sponsor: Birdwell

HB 1051 changes the status of the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) facility located in Ellis

County from an extension center to a campus.

Code Reference: Amends Section 135.02(a) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 1583 BLOCK SCHEDULING FOR CERTAIN ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS AT

PUBLIC JUNIOR COLLEGES

Author: Clardy Sponsor: Zaffirini

HB 1583 requires public community colleges to establish a block schedule curriculum for at least

five programs not previously offered as a block schedule curriculum in allied health, nursing, and

career and technology associate degree or certificate programs. A block schedule curriculum shall

offer a full-time student scheduled blocks each semester, such as morning, full-day, afternoon,

evening or weekend to provide scheduling predictability to students from semester to semester.

Students may enroll in an entire block schedule curriculum offered under the program in a

semester, rather than enrolling in individual courses leading toward the degree or certificate.

Each public community college is required to publish the available block schedule curricula for

each associate degree or certificate program or certificate program offered each semester. The

Coordinating Board, in consultation with community colleges, shall adopt rules as necessary to

administer the provisions of this bill including rules prescribing a process by which a college may

petition the Coordinating Board for an exception to the number of programs for which block

scheduling is required due to hardship. The Coordinating Board is required to submit a report on

the effectiveness of block scheduling and any related recommendations for legislative or other

action to the governor and Legislature no later than November 1, 2018. The provisions of this bill

apply beginning with the 2016 fall semester.



Appropriation: None

47

CB Rulemaking: Yes



HB 3348 AUTHORIZATION BY THE COORDINATING BOARD FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC JUNIOR COLLEGES

TO OFFER BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

Author: Clardy Sponsor: Eltife

HB 3348 requires the Coordinating Board to approve a pilot project for a baccalaureate dental

hygiene program for community colleges that offer a dental hygiene degree program, have a

main campus located in the county seat of a county with a population greater than 200,000, and

include territory in at least six public school districts located in two counties. Currently, Tyler

Junior College is the only institution that meets the criteria in the bill.

The bill requires the Coordinating Board to prepare a progress report not later than January 1,

2017, and not later than January 1, 2019, for submission to the governor, lieutenant governor, the

speaker of the House of Representatives, and members of the House and Senate Committees on

Higher Education on the effectiveness of the pilot project, including any recommendations for

legislative action regarding the offering of baccalaureate degree programs in the field of dental

hygiene by a public junior college.

Code Reference: Adds Sections 130.0012 (b-1), (b-2), (b-3), (k) and (l) to the Texas Education

Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes



SB 386 RELATING TO SCHOOL MARSHALS FOR PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Author: Taylor, Van Sponsor: Villalba

SB 386 authorizes the governing board of a public community college to appoint an applicant

who is an employee of the college and certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement as

a school marshal. The bill further allows the school marshal to carry a handgun on campus

premises in a manner provided by written regulations adopted by the governing board.

48

Code Reference: Amends Articles 2.127(a) and (d) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure,

Section 1701.260(a), (j), and (l) of the Texas Occupations Code

Adds Section 51.220 to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 495 SERVICE AREAS OF CERTAIN JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICTS

Author: Watson Sponsor: Miller, Doug

SB 495 moves the territory within Gillespie County from the service area of the Austin Community

College District to the service area of the Central Texas College District.

The bill moves the territory within the part of the Nixon-Smiley Consolidated Independent School

District located in Gonzales County from the Austin Community College District service area to

The Victoria College District service area.

This bill's provisions apply beginning with the 2015 fall semester, except that during the 2015–

2016 academic year the Austin Community College District may continue to treat the areas

removed by the bill as if they were still in the district's service area, as necessary to, avoid an

unreasonable interruption of junior college services in the areas.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 130.166, 130.171, and 130.208 of the Texas Education

Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



49

SB 1189 ESTABLISHMENT OF A MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAM AT

EACH PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Author: Seliger Sponsor: Zerwas

SB 1189 requires the governing board of each public community college district to establish a

multidisciplinary studies associate degree program at each junior college in the district beginning

in the fall 2016 semester. The bill specifies the program must require a student to successfully

complete the community college’s core curriculum and after completion of the core curriculum,

the courses selected by the student in the student’s degree plan.

Further, the bill adds a requirement that a student, before the beginning of the regular semester

or term immediately following the semester or term in which the student successfully completes

a cumulative total of 30 or more semester credit hours for coursework in a multidisciplinary studies

associate degree program established under this bill, the student must meet with an academic

advisor to complete a statutorily required degree plan that:

Accounts for all remaining credit hours required for the completion of the degree

program; and

Emphasizes the student's transition to a particular four-year college or university that the

student chooses and prepares the student for the intended field of study or major at the

four-year college or university.

The bill requires the Coordinating Board to adopt rules, as necessary, for the administration of this

section, including rules ensuring that a multidisciplinary studies associate degree program is

established at each public junior college and that the common application form contains a

description of multidisciplinary studies associate degree programs established under this section.



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes



50

FEES

HB 671 AUTHORIZING THE IMPOSITION OF AN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS FEE AT STEPHEN F.

AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Author: Clardy Sponsor: Nichols

HB 671 amends the Texas Education Code to authorize an Intercollegiate Athletics Fee to be

charged by Stephen F. Austin State University.



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 2568 AUTHORIZING A STUDENT CENTER FEE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-VICTORIA

Author: Morrison Sponsor: Kolkhorst

HB 2568 amends the Texas Education Code to add a recreation and wellness facility fee at the

University of Houston - Victoria.



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



51

HB 2921 AUTHORIZING A RECREATION AND WELLNESS FACILITY FEE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF

HOUSTON-CLEAR LAKE

Author: Paul Sponsor: Taylor, Larry

HB 2921 amends the Texas Education Code to add a recreation and wellness facility fee at the

University of Houston - Clear Lake.



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 596 ALLOWING THE BOARD OF REGENTS TO INCREASE THE LONG SESSION AND SUMMER

SESSION STUDENT CENTERS FEE AT TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY

Author: Estes Sponsor: Crownover

SB 596 amends the Education Code to increase the maximum amount of the Student Center Fee

at Texas Woman’s University.

The bill does not modify the minimum but does increase the cap. The potential increase is from

a cap of $40 per student to $75 per student for the fall and spring terms; for each summer session

the cap increases from $20 to $35.

Code Reference: Amends Section 54.525(a) and (c) of the Texas Education Code

Adds Section 54.525(d) to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



52

FINANCIAL AID

HB 7 IMPLEMENTS RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD TO REDUCE

RELIANCE ON GENERAL REVENUE-DEDICATED ACCOUNTS

Author: Darby Sponsor: Nelson

Section 36 of HB 7 amends the Texas Tax Code to allow the Comptroller to retain any tax revenue

in excess of the encumbered balance in the Physician Education Loan Repayment Program (PELRP)

account and to deposit these funds into the General Revenue account for use in health-related

purposes.

The bill requires “excess” fund balances in the PELRP Fund 5144 account to be spent down. Once

this balance is reduced, the Comptroller will begin transferring tobacco tax revenue to the

Coordinating Board once again up to the amount appropriated.

The bill does not specify the impact, if any, to the Nursing Faculty Loan Repayment Assistance

Program. That rider provides for any reallocated funds from the PELRP Fund (Account 5144) to a

qualifying nursing faculty in accordance with Texas Education Code Chapter 61, Subchapter II,

§61.9826.

HB 7 creates the “Governor’s University Research Initiative Fund” (GURIF) as a dedicated account

in the general revenue fund. Monies placed in the GURIF are to be allocated by the Texas Economic

Development and Tourism Office within the Office of the Governor (Office). The Office shall award

matching grants to assist eligible institutions in recruiting distinguished researchers, preferentially

but not exclusively in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). (Note: SB 632

on page 34 also establishes the GURIF).

Other sections of HB 7 are not related to the Coordinating Board.

Code Reference: Amends Section 155.2415 of the Texas Tax Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



53

HB 530 USING PROCEEDS FROM CRIMINAL ASSET FORFEITURE TO PROVIDE COLLEGE

SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHILDREN OF PEACE OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

Author: Hernandez Sponsor: West

HB 530 provides college scholarships to children of police officers who are killed in action. The

scholarships will be funded with 10 percent of the value of assets forfeited by the law enforcement

agency. The Attorney General is required to produce an annual report related to these actions.

Code Reference: Adds Article 59.06(r) and (s) to the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 700 REPEAL OF THE TEXAS B-ON-TIME STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM

Author: Giddings Sponsor: Seliger

HB 700 abolishes the Texas B-On-Time (BOT) student loan program, phasing out the program

over the next five years. BOT loans will only be provided to students who received an initial loan

before the 2015-2016 academic year. On September 1, 2020, the BOT is abolished and remaining

funds may be appropriated to institutions based on a formula adopted by the Coordinating Board.

The formula must fairly allocate the remaining funds to institutions at which the BOT was

underutilized. The BOT will be considered underutilized if the institution’s percentage of the total

tuition set-aside for the program across all institutions was greater than the percentage of

students at that institution who received a loan for the same period. The formula determination

must be made using a period of academic years occurring before the 2015-2016 academic year.

As of the 2015 fall semester, HB 700 eliminates the requirement for institutions to collect five

percent of resident undergraduate designated tuition in excess of $46 per semester credit hour

to fund the BOT.

Several conforming changes to the Texas Education Code are due to the repeal of the BOT.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 52.89(c), 52.90(a) and (b), 52.91, 52.91(a) and (c),

54.0065(a) and 56.011(a) of the Texas Education Code


54

Repeals Sections 52.89(c-1), 52.91(b), 56.307(l) and Subchapter Q of

Chapter 56 of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes


Lead THECB Division: Financial Services

SB 239 STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Author: Schwertner Sponsor: Zerwas

SB 239 creates a loan repayment program for certain mental health professionals who have

completed up to five consecutive years of practice in a mental health professional shortage area

designated by the Department of State Health Services and provides mental health services to

Medicaid recipients, enrollees in the child health plan program, or persons committed to a secure

correctional facility operated by or under contract with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or

persons confined in a secure correctional facility operated by or under contract with any division

of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Mental health professionals may not receive

repayment assistance for more than five years.

The bill specifies that no more than 10 percent of the number of repayment grants can be awarded

each year to mental health professionals working in state correctional facilities. No more than 30

percent of the number of repayment grants can be awarded each year to any one of the eligible

professionals. The bill establishes a schedule for repayment assistance starting at 10 percent for

the first year and up to 30 percent for the fifth year. The total amount of assistance varies by

mental health professional.

The eligible mental health professionals are as follows: a licensed physician who is a graduate of

an accredited psychiatric residency training program or certified in psychiatry by the American

Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and

Psychiatry, a psychologist, a licensed professional counselor, an advanced practice registered

nurse who holds a nationally recognized board certification in psychiatric or mental health

nursing, and a licensed clinical social worker.

Code Reference: Adds Subchapter K, Chapter 61 to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: HB 1 appropriates $850,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $1,275,000 in fiscal year

2017

55

CB Rulemaking: Yes



SB 686 ALLOWING APPROPRIATIONS TO THE MATH AND SCIENCE SCHOLARS LOAN REPAYMENT

PROGRAM

Author: Seliger Sponsor: Clardy

SB 686 authorizes the Texas Legislature to appropriate funds to support the Math and Science

Scholars Loan Repayment Program. Previously the statute authorizing the program stated that

the Legislature may not appropriate general revenue to the Mathematics and Science Teacher

Investment Fund, a dedicated account to be used to provide loan repayment assistance to

qualifying teachers. The bill repeals the prohibition on funding.

The Coordinating Board has administrative authority for the program. Under statute, not more

than 1,000 eligible persons may be provided loan repayment assistance in the 2016-17 academic

year. The maximum number of eligible persons for the 2017-18 academic year and the 2018-19

academic year are 2,000 and 3,000 respectively. The maximum number of eligible persons that

can be provided loan repayment assistance in any school year is 4,000. This section of the bill

would expire January 1, 2020.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 61.9831, 61.9832(a) and (c), 61.9837(b), and 61.9839(a)

and (b) of the Texas Education Code

Repeals Section 61.9837(f) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: HB 1 directs $2.6M for this purpose

CB Rulemaking: Yes



SB 947 STUDY AND REPORT BY THE COORDINATING BOARD ON THE FEASIBILITY OF PROVIDING

OFF-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS THROUGH THE TEXAS COLLEGE WORK-STUDY

PROGRAM


The bill requires the Coordinating Board to conduct a one-time study to examine the feasibility of

providing off-campus employment positions. The study must identify best practices for

developing partnerships with employers, identify any careers or industries that are well-suited for

56

providing off-campus work-study employment positions, and identify any public community

colleges that demonstrate strong potential for successful participation in a pilot program to

develop partnerships with employers to provide off-campus work-study employment positions.

Further, the bill requires the Coordinating Board to submit to the governor, lieutenant governor,

the speaker of the House of Representatives, and members of the House and Senate committees

on higher education a report on the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative

or other action, not later than December 1, 2016. The bill’s provisions expire September 1, 2017.



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 1750 REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS PROVIDED THROUGH THE TEXAS COLLEGE

WORK-STUDY PROGRAM

Author: West Sponsor: Murphy

SB 1750 requires that at least 20 percent, but no more than 50 percent, of the employment

positions through the Texas College Work-Study Program (TCWS) be provided by employers who

are providing employment located off campus.

The bill also requires the Coordinating Board, no later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year,

to submit and post a biennial report on its website on the TCWS program. The report is to include

the total number of students employed through the program, disaggregated by: 1) the

employment position's location (on and off campus); and 2) the employer's for-profit or nonprofit

status. The initial report is due May 1, 2019.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 56.076 and 56.079(l) of the Texas Education Code



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes



57

INSTIUTIONAL/GOVERNANCE CHANGES

HB 2621 APPOINTING TWO MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE BLINN JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT’S BOARD

OF TRUSTEES

Author: Raney Sponsor: Schwertner

HB 2621 requires the commissioner’s court of each county in which a branch campus of the Blinn

Junior College District is located and enrolls greater than 10,000 students to appoint two members

to serve on the district’s board of trustees.

If an advisory committee for a branch campus has been previously established, the members must

be selected from the advisory committee. These members may participate in the decision-making

of the board to the same extent as any other member of the board. However, members of a county

that is not located in the Blinn Junior College District may participate in the decision-making of

the board only in matters not related to the imposition of a tax or the distribution of revenue

raised from a tax.

The provisions of this act would expire on December 1, 2019, unless the Legislature continues

them.



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 24 TRAINING FOR MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER

EDUCATION

Author: Zaffirini Sponsor: Zerwas

SB 24 requires the Coordinating Board to create an intensive short orientation course for newly

appointed regents of university systems and institutions. A newly appointed regent whose first

year of service on the governing board begins on or after January 1, 2016, is prohibited from

voting until the course is completed. The course must be offered online, be interactive, and include

best practices relating to excellence, transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the governance

and administration of general academic teaching institutions.

58

Code Reference: Amends Sections 61.084(a) and (d) of the Texas Education Code

Adds Sections 61.084(a-1), (a-2), (h) and 61.0841 to the Texas Education

Code

Effective Date: January 1, 2016

Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes


Lead CB Division: College Readiness and Success

SB 42 RELATING TO THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR STUDENT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF

REGENTS OF A STATE UNIVERSITY OR STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

Author: Zaffirini Sponsor: Sheffield

SB 42 amends the Education Code to prohibit the governor from appointing to the board of

regents of a state university or state university system a student member who did not submit an

application to the student government of the university or of a general academic teaching

institution or medical and dental unit in the system, respectively.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 51.355(c) and 51.356(d) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No


Lead CB Division: General Counsel

SB 907 RELATING TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE TEXAS TECH

UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR EMPLOYEES OF

THE SYSTEM'S COMPONENTS

Author: Perry Sponsor: Frullo

SB 907 is an omnibus bill regarding Texas Tech University System and its component institutions.

The bill:

Updates the code to reflect that Texas Tech University System Administration and Texas

Tech University Health Science Center at El Paso are part of the Texas Tech System;

Modifies the code regarding the lease of oil, gas, and minerals;

59

Deletes dated language in Sec. 110.11 regarding the Rural Medical Education Board, which

was abolished last session; and

Repeals Sec. 109.49, Education Code, which requires that the proceeds from the sale of

crops be used to defray the expenses of conducting the agricultural activities.

It also broadens Texas Tech System Board of Regents’ authority to operate a museum without

financial support from the city. Currently, it may rent, lease, or convey for money a part of the

campus, not to exceed four acres, to the city of Lubbock for a museum which will be built and

maintained with city tax money. No money shall be expended by the board, except as may be

appropriated by the Legislature. The bill would remove all of these limitations.

Code Reference: Adds Section 109.001(d) to the Texas Education Code

Amends various sections of Subchapter A. Chapter 109 and Chapter 110 of

the Texas Education Code

Amends Section 501.022 of the Texas Labor Code

Repeals Sections 109.44, 109.46, 109.47, 109.49, 110.04, and 110.14 of the



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



60

P-16 INITIATIVES

HB 18 MEASURES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND HIGH

SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND CAREER PREPARATION

Author: Aycock Sponsor: Perry

Texas High Performance Schools Consortium HB 18 adds the State Board of Education (SBOE)

to the organizations that shall receive information from the Texas High Performance Schools

Consortium (Consortium) regarding methods for transforming public schools, standards relating

to career and college readiness, and measures relating to performance and progress. The

Consortium membership is expanded to 30 participants from 20.

Dual Credit HB 18 prohibits any limitation of the number of dual credit courses or semester

credit hours in which a high school student may enroll each semester or academic year.

Further, HB 18 requires a dual credit course be taught by a qualified instructor approved by the

public junior college. An instructor is considered qualified if the instructor:

Holds a doctoral or master’s degree in the discipline that is the subject of the course;

Holds a master’s degree in another discipline with a concentration that required

completion of a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the discipline that is the

subject of the course; or

For a course that is offered in an associate degree program that is not designed for transfer

to a baccalaureate degree program, holds a doctoral, master’s or baccalaureate degree in

the discipline that is the subject of the course or an associate degree and demonstrated

competencies in the discipline of the subject of the course, as determined by the

Coordinating Board.

A public community college has 60 days to approve or reject an application for approval to teach

a dual credit course at a high school.

College and Career Readiness Materials The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is required to

develop uniform public outreach materials that explain the importance, and outline the details of

public school curriculum changes made by HB 5, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session and

subsequent decisions made by the SBOE. The TEA must make the materials available to school

districts in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese and must include an explanation of the basic career

and college readiness components of each endorsement available to students, the curriculum

requirements to gain automatic college admission, and curriculum requirements for financial aid

eligibility.

61

Instruction Requirements HB 18 requires each school district to provide instruction to seventh-

or eighth-grade students in preparing for high school, college, and a career. The instruction must

include information on the distinguished level of achievement, endorsement options, high school

personal graduation plan, college readiness standards, and education needed for potential career

choices. This section applies beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.

Postsecondary Education and Career Counseling Academies The Center for Teaching and

Learning (Center) at The University of Texas at Austin is required to develop and make available

postsecondary education and career counseling academies for middle and high school counselors

and other postsecondary advisors employed by a school district. The Center must solicit input

from the TEA, school counselors, Texas Workforce Commission, institutions of higher education,

and business, community, and school leaders. An academy developed under this bill, must provide

counselors and other postsecondary advisors with the knowledge and skills to provide counseling

regarding postsecondary success and productive career planning. The bill provides specific

information that must be included in the academies such as endorsement details and career

opportunities associated with each, opportunities to earn credit for a course not offered at the

school where the student is enrolled, general academic performance requirements for admission

to an institution of higher education, and regional workforce needs.

The Center must develop an online instructional program that school districts may use in

providing the instruction in high school, college, and career preparation. School districts must

include the instruction as part of an existing course.

A school counselor who participates in an academy is entitled to a stipend in the amount

determined by the Center. Teachers participating in an academy may receive a stipend if funds

are available after all eligible counselors have received a stipend.

Texas Success Initiative Assessment HB 18 requires institutions of higher education that

administer the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) to report to each school district from

which assessed students graduated high school all available information regarding students’ score

and performance on the assessment and student demographics beginning with the fall 2016

semester. The Coordinating Board shall adopt rules, as necessary, to implement these provisions,

including rules that ensure compliance with federal laws regarding the confidentiality of student

information.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 7.0561(b), (c), (d) and (j), and 28.009(b) of the Texas

Education Code

Amends Section 303.003(b-2) of the Texas Labor Code

Adds Sections 28.015, 28.016, 33.009, 51.3062(u), 130.008(g) and (h) to the



Appropriation: HB 1 appropriates $20,000,000 in General Revenue for the 2016-2017

biennium

62

CB Rulemaking: Yes (part)



HB 505 PROHIBITION OF LIMITATIONS ON THE NUMBER OF DUAL CREDIT COURSES OR HOURS IN

WHICH A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT MAY ENROLL

Author: Rodríguez, Eddie Sponsor: Estes

HB 505 prohibits the Coordinating Board from adopting a rule that would limit the number of

dual credit courses or hours in which a high school student may enroll each semester or academic

year beginning with the 2015-2016 school year.

The bill also repeals statutory language that limited the number of dual credit courses in which a

student could enroll at a college outside the student’s high school service area.


Repeals Section 130.008(f) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes



HB 1431 QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO BE ADMITTED TO EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS

Author: Capriglione Sponsor: Seliger

HB 1431 requires the State Board of Education (SBOE), in consultation with the commissioner of

higher education and business and industry leaders, to develop an advanced language course in

industry-related terminology that prepares students to communicate in a language other than

English in a specific professional, business, or industry environment.

Code Reference: Adds Section 28.002(t) to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



63

HB 1613 ALIGNMENT OF COLLEGE READINESS STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS ON THE TEXAS

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AND THE USE OF THE TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE

ASSESSMENT TO SATISFY REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING HIGH SCHOOL END-OF-COURSE

ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENTS

Author: Guillen Sponsor: Perry

HB 1613 requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to develop and adopt a chart that clearly

indicates the alignment of the college and career readiness standards and expectations with the

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) no later than January 1, 2016.

Further, HB 1613 allows a high school student enrolled in a college preparatory math or English

language arts course under Texas Education Code 28.014 who satisfies the Texas Success Initiative

(TSI) college readiness benchmarks on the TSI Assessment to be exempt from the Algebra I or the

English I and English II end-of-course assessment instruments, as applicable.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 28.008(d) and 39.025(a-1) of the Texas Education Code

Adds 39.025(a-2) to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 2349 PUBLIC SCHOOL ASSESSMENT, PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Author: Aycock Sponsor: Kolkhorst

HB 2349 replaces vendor-specific assessments with non-vendor-specific language for ways in

which high school students may earn a performance acknowledgement on their diploma and

transcripts. The bill allows for a performance acknowledgement by earning a state-recognized

business or industry certification or license.

The bill allows the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to defer releasing State of Texas Assessments of

Academic Readiness (STAAR) questions and answer keys to the extent necessary to develop

additional assessment instruments.

Further, HB 2349 requires high school students to take an end-of-course exam only for a course

in which the student was enrolled. The TEA must report results of assessments from out-of-state

transfer students separately to school districts.

64



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 2812 LIMIT ON JUNIOR COLLEGE COURSES THAT A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT MAY ENROLL IN FOR

DUAL CREDIT AND THE CALCULATION OF AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE FOR A SCHOOL

DISTRICT OR OPEN ENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOL

Author: Springer Sponsor: Taylor, Van

HB 2812 removes the restriction for a high school student to enroll in no more than three dual

credit courses at a junior college, whether or not the student’s high school district was in the junior

college’s service area.

The bill also permits the commissioner of education to approve instructional programs provided

off campus by an entity other than a school district or open enrollment charter school as a

program in which participation by a student of a district or charter school may be counted for

purposes of determining average daily attendance. The commissioner is required to adopt rules

to verify and report time spent by students participating in approved off-campus instructional

programs. Time students spend participating in an approved off-campus instruction program shall

be counted as part of the minimum number of instructional hours required for a student to be

considered a full-time student in average daily attendance.

Code Reference: Adds Sections 42.005(h) and 42.0052 to the Texas Education Code

Repeals 130.008(f) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



65

SB 149 CREATION OF INDIVIDUAL GRADUATION COMMITTEES FOR CERTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENTS

Author: Seliger Sponsor: Huberty

SB 149 creates alternative methods for satisfying certain public high school graduation

requirements, including the use of individual graduation committees. An 11th- or 12th-grade high

school student who failed to comply with end-of-course requirements for no more than two

courses may be eligible for receipt of a high school diploma on the basis of individual graduation

committee review. A school district is required to establish an individual graduation committee

composed of: the principal or principal’s designee; for each end-of-course assessment instrument

on which the student failed to perform satisfactorily, the teacher of the course; the department

chair or lead teacher supervising said teacher; and as applicable, the student’s parent or person

standing in parental relation to the student; a designated advocate if the parent or person

standing in parental relation to the student is unable to serve; the student, at the student’s option,

if the student is at least 18 years of age or is an emancipated minor.

The bill further specifies that the individual graduation committee shall recommend additional

requirements by which the student may qualify to graduate, including: additional remediation,

and for each for each end-of-course assessment instrument on which the student failed to

perform satisfactorily: the completion of a project related to the subject area of the course that

demonstrates proficiency in the subject area; or the preparation of a portfolio of work samples in

the subject area of the course, including work samples from the course that demonstrate

proficiency in the subject area.

In determining whether a student for whom an individual graduation committee is established is

qualified to graduate, the committee shall consider a variety of factors including:

The recommendation of the student's teacher in each course for which the student failed

to perform satisfactorily on an end-of-course assessment instrument;

The student's grade in each course for which the student failed to perform satisfactorily

on an end-of-course assessment instrument;

The student's score on each end-of-course assessment instrument on which the student

failed to perform satisfactorily;

The student's performance on any additional requirements recommended by the

committee;

The number of hours of remediation that the student has attended, including attendance

in a college preparatory course or attendance in and successful completion of a

transitional college course in reading or math;

The student’s attendance rate;

66

The student's satisfaction of any of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) college readiness

benchmarks prescribed by the Coordinating Board;

The student's successful completion of a dual credit course in English, mathematics,

science, or social studies; and

The student’s successful completion of a high school pre-advanced placement, advanced

placement, or international baccalaureate program course in English, mathematics,

science, or social studies.

The bill specifies the committee’s vote determining whether the student is qualified to graduate

must be unanimous and that is not subject to appeal.

The bill requires the commissioner of education, by rule, to establish a timeline for the individual

graduation committee to make a determination, but for the 2014-2015 school year, the school

district that the student attends shall establish a timeline for making a determination.

Further, the bill specifies that notwithstanding the statutory provision that the commissioner of

education adopt rules requiring a student in the foundation high school program be administered

each required end-of-course assessment instrument, a student who fails to perform satisfactorily

on an end-of-course assessment instrument may receive a high school diploma if the student has

qualified for graduation under the Individual Graduation Committee Review. This subsection

expires September 1, 2017.

SB 149 also specifies that a student who - after retaking an end-of-course assessment instrument

for Algebra I or English II - has failed to perform satisfactorily, but who receives a passing score

on the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment for the corresponding subject for which the

student failed to perform satisfactorily on the end-of-course assessment instrument, then satisfies

the requirement concerning the Algebra I or English II end-of-course assessment, as applicable.

This subsection expires September 1, 2017.

Code Reference: Adds 12.104(b-2), 28.025(c-6), 28.0258, 28.0259, and 39.025(a-2) and (a-3)

to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



67

SB 453 MINIMUM SCORES REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO RECEIVE CREDIT BY AN

EXAMINATION ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE COLLEGE-LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM

Author: Seliger Sponsor: Clardy

This bill requires a school district to award credit to a student who achieves a scale score of at

least the 50th percentile on an exam administered through the College-Level Examination

Program (CLEP). The bill lowers the minimum from 60.

Code Reference: Amends Section 28.023(c-1) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 955 PERMISSIBLE LOCATIONS OF OPEN-ENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOLS CREATED BY

CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Author: Schwertner Sponsor: Miller, Rick

SB 955 amends the Education Code to allow a public senior college or university to operate an

open-enrollment charter school in any Texas county. The bill requires the commissioner of

education, in evaluating an application by a public senior college or university to operate an open-

enrollment charter school in any county other than the county which the college or university has

a campus, to consider the location of existing open-enrollment charter schools, as appropriate, to

avoid duplication of services and the need of the community in the area in which the applicant

proposes to operate the charter school.

The bill specifies that the provisions of this bill apply to a new charter school application pending

on or submitted on or after the bill’s effective date. It also authorizes a public senior college or

university that holds a charter granted before the bill’s effective date to operate a charter school

at a location in any Texas county but only after the college or university has received the

commissioner’s approval if the college or university seeks to operate an additional campus and

the commissioner’s approval of the expansion is required.

Code Reference: Amends Section 12.152 of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

68

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 1004 COURSES AND PROGRAMS OFFERED JOINTLY BY CERTAIN PUBLIC JUNIOR COLLEGES AND

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Author: Bettencourt Sponsor: Thompson, Senfronia

SB 1004 amends the Education Code to authorize a public community college with a service area

located in a county with a population of more than three million or in a county adjacent to a

county with a population of more than three million to:

Enter into an articulation agreement with any school district located in a county with a

population of more than three million for the provision of a dropout recovery program for

certain students on the public junior college campus; and

Enter into an agreement with each school district located in a county with a population of

more than three million to offer one or more courses for joint high school and community

college credit. The bill authorizes a student enrolled in such a school district to enroll in a

course at any community college that has entered into an agreement with the district to

offer the course.

The bill exempts a student from the statutory prohibition of enrolling in more than three courses

for joint credit at a junior college if the junior college does not have a service area that includes

the student’s high school. [Note: this provision was repealed by both HB 505 and HB 2812].

Currently, before any course may be offered by a public junior college within the service area of

another operating public junior college, it must be established that the second public junior

college is not capable of or is unable to offer the course. SB 1004 specifies that this provision does

not apply to a course offered by a public junior college with a service area located in a county

with a population of more than three million.

These provisions apply beginning with the 2016 spring semester.

Code Reference: Adds Sections 29.402(a-1), 130.008(g), 130.086(d-1), and 130.090(a-1) to



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



69

SB 1455 MODIFYING OR ELIMINATING CERTAIN REQUIRED REPORTS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS

PREPARED BY STATE AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Author: Zaffirini Sponsor: Elkins

SB 1455 streamlines agency reporting requirements by repealing obsolete or duplicative reporting

requirements, changing the frequency of some reports, and redirecting some reports to relevant

recipients. The bill repeals the P-16 College Readiness and Success Strategic Action Plan, which

removes a reporting requirement by the Coordinating Board.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 32.034(e), 39.263(c), 51.752(h), 61.0762(a), 88.526(a) of


Amends Sections 72.084, 531.02111(e), 531.02112(c), 531.055(a), 614.072(f),

772.009(g), 2054.102(a), 2056.002(d), 2056.009(b), 2165.055, 2165.1061(h),

2166.101(d), 2166.102(b), 2166.103(b), 2205.041 of the Texas Government

Code

Adds Sections 772.009(g-1), 2054.102(a-1) (a-2) (a-3) and (a-4) to the Texas

Government Code

Repeals Sections 51.752(g), 61.0761 and 109.75(c) of the Texas Education

Code

Repeals Sections 761.005 and 2166.409 of the Texas Government Code

Repeals Section 372.004 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and Section

162.501(c) of the Texas Tax Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



70

STUDENT INFORMATION

HB 1807 REQUIRING THE COORDINATING BOARD TO MAINTAIN AN INVENTORY OF

POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH

INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Author: Naishtat Sponsor: Zaffirini

HB 1807 requires the Coordinating Board to maintain and post an inventory of postsecondary

education services provided by institutions of higher education for persons with intellectual and

developmental disabilities.

The bill requires the Coordinating Board to maintain an inventory of all postsecondary educational

programs and services provided by institutions to individuals with intellectual and developmental

disabilities. It also requires that the Coordinating Board:

Post the inventory in an easily identifiable and accessible location on its website;

Submit the inventory to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for inclusion in its transition

and employment guide; and

Update the inventory at least once every two years.

HB 1807 also requires institutions to report all programs and services to the Coordinating Board

at times prescribed by the board, and requires the Texas Education Agency to post the inventory

in its transition and employment guide.


Amends Section 29.0112(b) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



71

HB 4046 CONCERNING THE DISCLOSURE OF STUDENT EDUCATION AND ADMISSION RECORDS AT

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FUNDED WHOLLY OR PARTLY BY STATE REVENUE

Author: Alvarado Sponsor: Ellis

HB 4046 requires student records of applicants be treated as though the student were enrolled

and would be covered under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The bill

provides certain exceptions for those covered under FERPA.

Code Reference: Amends Section 552.114 of the Texas Government Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 37 REQUIRING THE COORDINATING BOARD TO COLLECT AND STUDY DATA ON THE

PARTICIPATION OF PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT


Author: Zaffirini Sponsor: Naishtat

SB 37 amends the Texas Education Code to require the Coordinating Board to:

Collect data and conduct an ongoing study of data regarding participation in

undergraduate and graduate education at public institutions of higher education by

persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities;

Study factors affecting participation by the target population in public higher education;

Conduct an ongoing study of recruitment of the target population by public institutions

of higher education. The board is required to submit a report on the results of the study

conducted under this subsection and any recommendations for legislative not later than

November 1 of each even-numbered year; and

Adopt rules as needed to implement the study in a manner that ensures compliance with

the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Family Educational

Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and any related federal laws.

The bill requires institutions of public higher education to cooperate in the submission of data

requested by the Coordinating Board.

72



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes



SB 1213 CREATING AN OFFENSE FOR THE REIDENTIFICATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS THE

SUBJECT OF DEIDENTIFIED INFORMATION

Author: Kolkhorst Sponsor: Oliveira

SB 1213 provides definitions for deidentified information and personal identifying information. It

would prohibit: 1) reidentifying of individual data, and 2) releasing information the person knows

was reidentified.

The bill establishes that it is a defense to a civil action or prosecution if the person was

reidentifying the covered information for the purpose of a study or other scholarly research,

evaluation or testing of software. Any offense under this statute is a Class A misdemeanor.

Code Reference: Adds Chapter 506 to the Texas Business and Commerce Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 1624 REQUIREMENT THAT CERTAIN ENTERING STUDENTS AT A GENERAL ACADEMIC TEACHING

INSTITUTION RECEIVE INFORMATION REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE

PREVENTION SERVICES

Author: Rodríguez Sponsor: Marquez

SB 1624 amends the Education Code to require general academic teaching institutions to provide

entering full-time students, information about available mental health and suicide prevention

services, early warning signs, and appropriate intervention for a person who may be considering

suicide. The information may be provided through a live presentation or a format that allows for

student interaction such as an online program or video. The bill’s provisions apply beginning with

the 2016 fall semester.

73



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 1714 RELATING TO THE RELEASE OF STUDENT ACADEMIC INFORMATION BY A PUBLIC

INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION


SB 1714 allows universities to request a signed consent before releasing student academic

information with each student application for transfer admissions for the purpose of reverse

transfer. In addition, the bill allows an institution of higher education to require signed consent

for each student-initiated request for a transcript. Student information may be released by the

institution through the National Student Clearinghouse or other national electronic data exchange

platform that meets accepted standards, conventions, and practices.

The bill also requires that students who have accumulated at least 66 semester credit hours and

who have not submitted a consent form be sent an email notification from their institution

requesting authorization to release academic course, grade, and credit information to each two-

year college previously attended or to a reverse transfer data sharing platform. Student

information will be sent upon receipt of student consent once the student has completed a

semester. Only students providing consent for release of student information either at the time of

making a transfer application to a university or by initiating a request for a transcript, will have

their student information shared. The lower-division institution will review the information and

determine if the student has enough credits for the award of an associate degree.

Code Reference: Adds Sections 51.9715, 61.833 (c-1), (e) and (f) to the Texas Education Code

Amends Section 61.833 (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



74

TUITION

HB 2396 ELIMINATING REQUIREMENTS THAT CERTAIN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER

EDUCATION SET ASIDE PORTIONS OF TUITION FOR STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM

FOR PHYSICIANS AND STATE ATTORNEYS

Author: Howard Sponsor: Seliger

HB 2396 repeals the medical school tuition set-aside used to fund the Physician Education Loan

Repayment Program and the law school tuition set aside used to fund the Office of Attorney

General’s Loan Repayment Program (OAGLRP) for certain attorneys employed by that office.

The bill limits the funding for the OAGLRP to gifts, grants, and donations, legislative

appropriations, and money budgeted for the program by the Office of the Attorney General from

appropriations made to that office.

The changes made by this law apply with tuition charged for the 2015 fall semester.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 61.5391(a), 61.9730 and 61.9732 of the Texas Education

Code

Repeals Sections 61.539 and 61.9731 of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



75

VETERAN’S BENEFITS

HB 3404 CONDUCTING A STUDY ON PROVIDING CARE TO VETERANS WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS

DISORDER

Author: Thompson, Senfronia Sponsor: Lucio, Jr.

HB 3404 requires the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct a study on the benefits

of providing integrated care to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. To conduct the study,

the Health and Human Services Commission may coordinate with a university and medical school

with expertise in behavioral health or post-traumatic stress disorder.

This act expires September 1, 2017.

Code Reference: None


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 806 COLLEGE CREDIT FOR HEROES PROGRAM

Author: Campbell Sponsor: King, Susan

SB 806 requires the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), in consultation with the Coordinating

Board to report to the Legislature and the governor on the results of any grants awarded under

the College Credit for Heroes program, to include best practices for veterans and military service

members to achieve maximum academic or workforce education credit at institutions of higher

education for military experience, education, and training obtained during military service not

later than November 1 of each year. It also requires the TWC to report any measures needed to

facilitate the award of academic or workforce education credit by institutions of higher education

for military experience, education, and training obtained during military service and any other

related measures to facilitate veterans’ entry into the workforce.

Code Reference: Amends Section 302.0031(b) of the Texas Labor Code

Adds Section 302.0031(g) to the Texas Labor Code


Appropriation: None

76

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 832 COORDINATING WORKGROUPS OF THE TEXAS COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR VETERANS

SERVICES

Author: Campbell Sponsor: King, Susan

SB 832 establishes a mental health coordinating workgroup within the Texas Coordinating Council

for Veterans Services. Currently, health and mental health issues are combined into one of eight

coordinating workgroups.

Code Reference: Amends Section 434.154(a) of the Texas Government Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



77

WORKFORCE TRAINING INITIATIVES

HB 1606 CONTINUATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE TEXAS WORKFORCE INVESTMENT COUNCIL,

INCLUDING ASSUMPTION OF THE DUTIES OF THE TEXAS SKILL STANDARDS BOARD

Author: Burkett Sponsor: Hinojosa

HB 1606 amends the Government Code to continue the Texas Workforce Investment Council until

September 1, 2027. The bill abolishes the Texas Skill Standards Board and transfers the board's

powers and duties to the council.

Code Reference: Amends Section 2308.005 of the Texas Government Code

Adds 2308.109 to the Texas Government Code

Repeals Subchapter H, Chapter 2308 of the Texas Government Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 1887 ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL CENTER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY EXCELLENCE IN THE RIO

GRANDE VALLEY

Author: Muñoz, Jr. Sponsor: Hinojosa

HB 1887 establishes a regional center for public safety excellence to develop and provide

education and training for law enforcement personnel in the Rio Grande Valley, including

education and training leading toward an associate of applied science degree or certificate or

another public safety or law enforcement-related associated degree or certificate.

All training programs and courses offered by the regional center must satisfy requirements for the

regional center to operate as a commission-approved training provider.

South Texas College is required to administer the regional center in partnership with political

subdivisions and participating school districts in the Rio Grande Valley. The headquarters shall be

located at South Texas College in Pharr, Texas but may use the property and facilities at other

locations in Hidalgo and Starr Counties.

78



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 3062 PARTICIPATION OF AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE JOBS AND EDUCATION

FOR TEXANS GRANT PROGRAM

Author: Clardy Sponsor: West

HB 3062 moves administration of the Jobs for Texans (JET) Grant Program from the Office of the

Comptroller to the Texas Workforce Commission no later than September 1, 2015. The advisory

board membership is decreased by one for a total of six members.

Certain independent school districts are eligible for JET grants beginning with the 2016-2017

academic year. A school district must enter into a partnership with a public community college or

public technical institute to promote career and technical education or offer dual credit courses

to the district’s students in order to be eligible for a grant.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 134.002(a), 134.003, 134.004, 134.006(a), (c), and (d), and

134.008 of the Texas Education Code

Adds Subdivision 134.001(1) and Section 134.007 to the Texas Education

Code


Appropriation: HB 1 appropriates $5 million in each fiscal year of the biennium

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 458 AEROSPACE AND AVIATION OFFICE OF THE TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND

TOURISM OFFICE AND THE AEROSPACE AND AVIATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Author: Lucio, Jr. Sponsor: Bonnen, Greg

SB 458 expands the charge of the Aerospace and Aviation Office of the Texas Economic

Development and Tourism Office (Office) within the Governor’s Office to prepare short-term and

long-term policy initiatives to promote the Texas aerospace and aviation activities and thereby

79

support economic development. Recommendations have to be submitted by December 1, 2016

and the Office would support and carry out the initiatives afterwards.

The bill requires the Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission, between

September 1, 2015 and December 1, 2016, to work in partnership with the Office in order to give

input on education and research matters, as well as job skills and staffing requirements.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 481.0066(d) and (e) of the Texas Government Code

Adds Sections 481.0066(d-1), (d-2) and (e-2) to the Texas Government

Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 1066 CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO

PARTICIPATE IN THE TEXAS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS

CHALLENGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Author: Zaffirini Sponsor: Clardy

SB 1066 amends the statute relating to the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics (T-STEM) Challenge Scholarship Program so that the eligibility of institutions is

evaluated annually and with already available workforce and enrollment data, beginning with the

third year, instead of the second year, following implementation of the program at an institution.

Under provisions of the bill, beginning with the third year following implementation of the

scholarship program, an eligible institution must demonstrate to the board that at least 70 percent

of its T-STEM Challenge Scholarship recipients are employed or enrolled in courses leading to a

certificate, associate, or baccalaureate degree in a STEM field, within twelve months of receiving

the scholarship.

The bill requires the Coordinating Board to evaluate the success of scholarship recipients within

twelve months of receipt of a scholarship, so that data would be available for the evaluating either

through the Coordinating Board’s accountability system or through the Texas Workforce

Commission.

The bill also changes the evaluation for continuing enrollment of all scholarship recipients to

include persistence at the lower-division level and continuation at the upper-division level.

80

Finally, SB 1066 requires the Coordinating Board to award scholarships according the amended

eligibility requirements starting with the 2015-2016 academic year (i.e. with the next new grant

cycle).



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: Yes



SB 1351 TRANSFERRING TO THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION CERTAIN DUTIES OF THE

COMPTROLLER RELATED TO THE JOBS AND EDUCATION FOR TEXANS GRANT PROGRAM

Author: Menendez Sponsor: Deshotel

SB 1351 moves administration of the Jobs for Texans (JET) Grant Program from the Office of the

Comptroller to the Texas Workforce Commission no later than September 1, 2015. The advisory

board membership is decreased by one for a total of six members. [Note: HB 3062 also makes

these changes.]

Code Reference: Amends Sections 134.002(a), 134.003, 134.004(a), 134.006(a), (c) and (d),

and 134.008 of the Texas Education Code

Adds Section 134.001(l) to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



81

VETOED

SB 313 REVIEW AND MODIFICATION OF THE TEXAS ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF THE

REQUIRED PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Author: Seliger Sponsor: Aycock

SB 313 would have required the State Board of Education (SBOE) to modify and narrow the

content and scope of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for the foundation

curriculum. The bill would have also limited new instructional materials proclamations to 75

percent of the total amount available for the instructional materials allotment during that

biennium. The bill would have also required the SBOE to develop a chart that clearly indicated the

alignment of the college and career readiness standards and expectations with the TEKS.

SB 1655 COORDINATING BOARD FEES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF CERTIFICATES OF

AUTHORIZATION AND CERTIFICATES OF AUTHORITY ISSUED TO CERTAIN POSTSECONDARY

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Author: West Sponsor: Morrison

SB 1655 would have allowed the Coordinating Board to establish fees for issuing, maintaining, or

revising a certificate of authority or authorization as well as maintaining a repository for student

transcripts from closed institutions operating under a certificate of authority or authorization.

82

MISCELLANOUS

HB 699 REQUIRING PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A POLICY ON

CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT

Author: Nevárez Sponsor: Uresti

HB 699 requires institutions of higher education to adopt a policy on campus sexual assault. The

policy must be approved by the institution’s governing board and must be made available to

students, faculty, and staff members by including the policy in the institution's student handbook

and personnel handbook; and creating and maintaining a web page on the institution's Internet

website dedicated solely to the policy. The bill further requires each entering freshman or

undergraduate transfer student to attend an orientation on the institution's campus sexual assault

policy before or during the first semester or term in which the student is enrolled at the institution.

Also, it requires each institution of higher education to review and revise, as necessary, each

biennium. The changes added by this bill apply beginning with the 2015 fall semester.



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 796 PURCHASE OF CERTAIN INSURANCE COVERAGE AND THE PERFORMANCE OF RELATED RISK

MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND THE COMPONENT

INSTITUTIONS OF THAT SYSTEM

Author: Geren Sponsor: Eltife

HB 796 exempts the Texas State University System and a component institution of that system

from the prohibition in the Texas Workers' Compensation Act against a state agency purchasing

certain insurance coverage without the approval of the board of the State Office of Risk

Management. The bill instead requires the system and the component institutions to perform risk

management services related to insurance coverage purchased by the system or institution

without the board's approval.

83

Code Reference: Amends Sections 412.011(c) and (e) of the Texas Labor Code

Adds Section 412.011(j) to the Texas Labor Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No


Lead THECB Division: Internal Audit

HB 1560 INVESTMENT OPTIONS FOR PROPERTY RECOVERED IN A SUIT BY A NEXT FRIEND OR

GUARDIAN AD LITEM ON BEHALF OF A MINOR OR INCAPACITATED PERSON

Author: Hernandez Sponsor: Ellis

HB 1560 allows either the next of friend or the appointed guardian of a minor or incapacitated

person to invest any money recovered in a lawsuit in a higher education savings plan or prepaid

tuition program, pursuant to Chapter 54, Education Code.

Code Reference: Amends Section 142.004(a) of the Texas Property Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No


Lead THECB Division: General Counsel

HB 1982 TRANSFER OF CERTAIN STATE PROPERTY FROM THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

Author: Miller, Rick Sponsor: Kolkhorst

HB 1982 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to donate and transfer certain real

property located in Fort Bend County to the University of Houston.



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



84

HB 3748 COORDINATION OF EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR AND INFORMATION

REGARDING STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY OR WERE FORMERLY PLACED IN FOSTER

CARE

Author: Farney Sponsor: West

Currently, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has a position dedicated to working with school

districts regarding the needs of foster youth. This bill defines this position in statute and creates

a similar position at the Coordinating Board. Additionally, the bill requires each institution of

higher education, as is required of school districts, to designate an employee as a liaison to former

foster youth. The bill also requires the Coordinating Board and the Texas Department of Family

and Protective Services to enter into a memorandum of understanding to facilitate the sharing of

information on students in foster care.




Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



HB 3750 REQUIRING INTERIM STUDIES ON REAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE STATE

Author: Simmons Sponsor: Birdwell

HB 3750 directs an interim study on insurable state assets, incorporating modifications to existing

reporting processes and adding new data to be reported.

The bill directs the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) to collect data regarding state assets through

collaboration with the Office of the Comptroller, State Auditor’s Office, State Office of Risk

Management (SORM), General Land Office (GLO), Texas Facilities Commission (TFC), and the

Coordinating Board.

The state assets to be accounted for in this report are land, facilities, and value of contents of

facilities. The Coordinating Board shall provide data for buildings at public institutions of higher

education. The LBB will report these data to SORM by a date specified by SORM. SORM will then

consolidate these data into a single data set accessible by the Legislature, all state agencies, and

all institutions of higher education by June 1, 2016 and by August 31, 2016 shall report findings

and recommendations to the Legislature.

85

Not later than November 30, 2015 the governor shall appoint members of a Senate and House

Select Committee on State Real Property Data Collection, Reporting, and Assessment to study the:

Benefits of a comprehensive database of all real property owned by the state

Potential financial loss to the state resulting from inadequate insurance

Efficiencies or cost savings that may be achieved by requiring the GLO to submit an annual

report to the Texas Department of Transportation, the Employee Retirement System and

the Teacher Retirement System.

The bill expires on September 1, 2017.



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 11 CARRYING OF CONCEALED HANDGUNS ON THE CAMPUSES OF AND CERTAIN OTHER

LOCATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Author: Birdwell Sponsor: Fletcher

SB 11 allows licensed holders to carry a concealed handgun on the campus of an institution of

higher education, including a private or independent institution of higher education. Institutions

of higher education may not adopt any rules prohibiting license holders from carrying handguns

on the institution’s campus. However, an institution may establish rules, regulations, or other

provisions concerning the storage of handguns in dormitories or other residential facilities located

on the campus of the institution. In addition, the president or other chief executive officer of an

institution, after consulting with students, staff and faculty of the institution regarding the nature

of the student population, specific safety considerations, and the uniqueness of the campus

environment, shall establish reasonable rules regarding the carrying of concealed handguns by

license holders on the campus or premises of the institution of higher education. The president

or officer may not establish provisions that generally prohibit license holders from carrying

concealed handguns on the campus but may amend provisions as necessary for campus safety.

Institutions must give effective notice with respect to any portion of a premises on which license

holders may not carry.

Institutions must submit a report to the Legislature not later than September 1 of each even-

numbered year describing the institution’s rules, regulations or other provision regarding the

86

carrying of concealed handguns on campus and explaining the reasons the for adopting such

provisions.

This act takes effect August 1, 2016. However, the act does not apply to public community colleges

before August 1, 2017.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 411.208(a), (b), and (d) of the Texas Government Code

Adds Sections 411.2031 and 411.208(f) to the Texas Government Code

Amends Sections 46.035(g) and (h) of the Texas Penal Code

Adds Sections 46.035(a-1), (a-2), (a-3), (l) and 46.035(f) (1-a) to the Texas

Penal Code

Effective Date: August 1, 2016

Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 317 THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Author: Hinojosa Sponsor: Muñoz, Jr.

SB 317 codifies the name of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Code Reference: Amends Chapter 79 and Section 79.01(2) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



87

EMPLOYEE ISSUES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

HB 426 ACCEPTANCE OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS THROUGH THE ONLINE SYSTEM FOR

LISTING STATE AGENCY EMPLOYMENT OPENINGS MAINTAINED BY THE TEXAS WORKFORCE

COMMISSION

Author: Howard Sponsor: Schwertner

HB 426 requires the online system for listing state agency employment openings maintained by

the Texas Workforce Commission to have a single online application through which applicants

may electronically send the application to multiple state agencies. State agencies are required to

accept an application for employment from the commission’s online system, however, agencies

are not prohibited from accepting applications in another manner. The bill exempts state

institutions of higher education and university systems.



Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No


Lead THECB Division: Human Resources

HB 3337 TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR STATE AGENCY ADMINISTRATORS AND EMPLOYEES

Author: Clardy Sponsor: Nelson

HB 3337 prohibits state agencies from reimbursing employees or administrators for tuition

expenses for training or education programs offered by institutions of higher education unless

the programs were successfully completed at an accredited public, private or independent

institution of higher education. A state agency is required to adopt rules that require the executive

head of the agency to authorize the tuition reimbursement payment before it can be made. State

agencies are also required to adopt a policy that provides clear and objective guidelines to govern

reimbursement for an administrator or employee who is enrolled in training for which the

administrator or employee seeks reimbursement and address tuition reimbursement for non-

traditional training. State agencies are required to post the policy on the employment section of

the agency’s website.

88

Code Reference: Amends Sections 656.043, 656.047, 656.101(1), and 656.102 of the Texas

Government Code

Adds Section 656.048(b) and 656.101(1-a) to the Texas Government Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



SB 374 REQUIRING STATE AGENCIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FEDERAL ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION

OF EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION PROGRAM, OR E-VERIFY

Author: Schwertner Sponsor: Dale

SB 374 requires state agencies to register and participate in the E-verify program to verify

information of all new employees. The E-verify program means the electronic verification of

employment authorization program of the federal Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant

Responsibility Act of 1996 operated by a federal agency authorized to verify the employment

status of newly hired employees under the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

The Texas Workforce Commission is directed to adopt rules and prescribe forms to implement

the provisions of this bill.

Code Reference: Adds Chapter 673 to the Texas Government Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



89

OPEN MEETINGS/OPEN RECORDS

SB 27 REQUIRING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO BROADCAST TELEPHONE

CONFERENCE CALL MEETINGS REQUIRED TO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC OVER THE INTERNET


SB 27 amends the Government Code to require institutions of higher education to broadcast

telephone conference call meetings required to be open to the public over the Internet as

prescribed by Section 551.128, Government Code.

The bill requires that such meetings be audible to the public at the location specified in the

meeting notice, and that they be recorded and made available to the public in an online archive

located on the Internet website of the institution of higher education holding the meeting.

Code Reference: Amends Section 551.121(f) of the Texas Government Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No


Lead CB Division: General Counsel

SB 308 POWERS AND DUTIES OF CAMPUS POLICE DEPARTMENTS AT PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS OF

HIGHER EDUCATION

Author: Whitmire Sponsor: Coleman

SB 308 establishes a campus police department of a private institution of higher education as a

law enforcement agency and a governmental body for the purposes of state public information

law only with respect to information relating solely to law enforcement activities.


Adds Section 51.212(f) to the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



90

SB 685 APPLICABILITY OF OPEN MEETINGS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION LAWS TO EDUCATION

RESEARCH CENTER ADVISORY BOARD

Author: Seliger Sponsor: Raney

SB 685 establishes that an Education Center Research Advisory Board is a governmental body for

purposes of Government Code, Section 551 (Open Meetings) and Section 552 (Public Information

Act/Open Records). The bill specifies that the conducting of any advisory board meeting by

electronic means may be done to the extent and in the manner that is authorized by the Texas

Open Meetings Act.

Code Reference: Amends Sections 1.006(b) and (e) of the Texas Education Code


Appropriation: None

CB Rulemaking: No



91

HOUSE BILL

HB 7...............................................................

HB 18.........................................................

HB 100.......................................................

HB 177.....................................................................

HB 197.......................................................

HB 382.......................................................................

HB 426....................................................

HB 495.......................................................................

HB 505................................................................

HB 530................................................................

HB 658.......................................................................

HB 671.......................................................................

HB 699....................................................

HB 700.......................................................................

HB 796....................................................

HB 855................................................................

HB 909................................................................

HB 1000.......................................................................

HB 1049................................................................

HB 1051.......................................................

HB 1054.......................................................

HB 1287.....................................................................

HB 1300................................................................

HB 1431......................................................................

HB 1560................................................

HB 1583................................................................

HB 1606................................................

HB 1613......................................................................

HB 1807.................................................

HB 1887................................................

HB 1982................................................

HB 1992......................................................................

HB 2205......................................................................

HB 2349.......................................................

HB 2396.................................................

HB 2472.......................................................................

HB 2568.......................................................

HB 2621.......................................................................

HB 2628................................................................

HB 2812................................................................

HB 2921.......................................................................

HB 3062.....................................................

HB 3078.......................................................................

HB 3337.....................................................

HB 3348.......................................................................

HB 3404...............................................................

HB 3748.....................................................

HB 3750...................................................

HB 3781.......................................................

HB 4046.......................................................

LEGISLATION BY BILL NUMBER

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

79

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

79

28

38, 59

73

69

86

76, 77

52

28

38, 59

73

48

57, 82

90

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

79

28

38, 59

73

48

57, 82

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

79

28

38, 59

73

48

57, 82

90

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

79

28

38, 59

73

48

57, 82

90

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

79

28

38, 59

73

48

57, 82

90

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

79

28

38, 59

73

48

57, 82

90

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

79

28

38, 59

73

48

57, 82

90

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

79

28

38, 59

73

48

57, 82

90

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

79

28

38, 59

73

48

57, 82

90

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

79

28

38, 59

73

48

57, 82

90

53

61

40

32

36

46

88

27

63

53

46

51

83

54

83

36

19

33

45

47

22

37

24

63

84

47

78

64

71

78

84

19

24

64

75

38

51

58

31

65

52

79

20

88

48

76

85

85

27

72

PAGE NUMBER

PAGE NUMBER

HOUSE BILL

92

SB 11.......................................................................

SB 18..........................................................

SB 24.........................................................

SB 27.............................................................

SB 37..........................................................

SB 42..........................................................

SB 44.............................................................

SB 149............................................................

SB 239............................................................

SB 295.............................................................

SB 308..........................................................

SB 313.....................................................

SB 317..........................................................

SB 374.....................................................

SB 386......................................................

SB 453.....................................................

SB 458.....................................................

SB 495..........................................................

SB 596.......................................................

SB 632.....................................................

SB 685.....................................................

SB 686.....................................................

SB 806.....................................................

SB 832.....................................................

SB 907.......................................................

SB 947..........................................................

SB 955.........................................................

SENATE BILL PAGE NUMBER

LEGISLATION BY BILL NUMBER

SENATE BILL PAGE NUMBER

86

28

58

90

72

59

34

66

55

29

90

82

87

89

48

68

79

49

52

34

91

56

76

77

59

56

68

SB 1004...................................................

SB 1066.........................................................

SB 1189...................................................

SB 1191...................................................

SB 1213...................................................

SB 1309...................................................

SB 1351...................................................

SB 1455..................................................

SB 1466..........................................................

SB 1470...................................................

SB 1543...................................................

SB 1624..........................................................

SB 1655...................................................

SB 1714...................................................

SB 1750...................................................

SB 1776...................................................

SB 2031.........................................................

69

80

50

43

73

26

81

70

30

21

38

73

82

74

57

22

39

93

LEGISLATION BY AUTHOR

HOUSE BILLS PAGE

Alvarado.................................................................................................................................................................

Aycock.................................................................................................................................................................

Burkett.................................................................................................................................................................

Canales.................................................................................................................................................................

Capriglione.................................................................................................................................................................

Clardy.................................................................................................................................................................

Crownover.................................................................................................................................................................

Darby..............................................................................................................................................................................

Farney.................................................................................................................................................................

Geren.................................................................................................................................................................

Giddings.................................................................................................................................................................s

Guillen.................................................................................................................................................................

Hernandez.................................................................................................................................................................

Howard.................................................................................................................................................................

Miller, Rick.................................................................................................................................................................

Morrison.................................................................................................................................................................

Muñoz, Jr..................................................................................................................................................................

Naishtat.................................................................................................................................................................

Nevárez.................................................................................................................................................................

Paul..........................................................................................................................................................................

Phillips...........................................................................................................................................................................

Price.................................................................................................................................................................

Raney.................................................................................................................................................................

Rodriguez, Eddie.......................................................................................................................................................

Sanford.................................................................................................................................................................

Simmons.................................................................................................................................................................

Springer.................................................................................................................................................................

Thompson, Senfronia..........................................................................................................................................

Wray.................................................................................................................................................................

Zedler.................................................................................................................................................................

Zerwas..........................................................................................................................................................................

72

61, 64

78

46

24, 63

24, 27

20, 53

85

83

54

64

53, 84

84

51

78

71

83

52

19

36

58

45, 63

36

37, 85

65

76

47

32

22, 31, 47, 48, 51, 79, 88

27, 75, 88

19, 33, 38, 40, 46,

94

LEGISLATION BY AUTHOR

SENATE BILLS PAGE

Bettencourt.................................................................................................................................................................

Birdwell.................................................................................................................................................................

Campbell.................................................................................................................................................................

Estes.................................................................................................................................................................

Fraser.................................................................................................................................................................

Hinojosa.................................................................................................................................................................

Kolkhorst.................................................................................................................................................................

Lucio, Jr..................................................................................................................................................................

Menendez.................................................................................................................................................................

Nelson.................................................................................................................................................................

Perry.................................................................................................................................................................

Rodriguez.................................................................................................................................................................

Schwertner.................................................................................................................................................................

Seliger.................................................................................................................................................................

Taylor, Van.................................................................................................................................................................s

Watson.................................................................................................................................................................

West..........................................................................................................................................................................

Whitmire.......................................................................................................................................................

Zaffirini.................................................................................................................................................................

69

86

76, 77

52

34

87

73

79

28

38, 59

73

48

57, 82

90

34, 56, 58, 59, 70, 72, 74, 80, 90

29, 55, 68, 89

22, 26, 81

43, 50, 56, 66, 68, 82, 91

21, 30, 39, 49

95

LEGISLATION BY SPONSOR

HOUSE BILLS PAGE

Bettencourt...........................................................................................................................................................

Birdwell.................................................................................................................................................................

Burton.................................................................................................................................................................

Ellis...........................................................................................................................................................................

Eltife.................................................................................................................................................................

Estes..........................................................................................................................................................................

Garcia.................................................................................................................................................................

Hinojosa.................................................................................................................................................................

Kolkhorst.................................................................................................................................................................

Lucio, Jr..................................................................................................................................................................s

Nelson................................................................................................................................................................

Nichols.................................................................................................................................................................

Perry.................................................................................................................................................................

Rodríguez.................................................................................................................................................................

Schwertner.................................................................................................................................................................

Seliger.................................................................................................................................................................

Taylor, Larry.................................................................................................................................................................

Taylor, Van....................................................................................................................................................................

Uresti.................................................................................................................................................................

Watson.................................................................................................................................................................

West..................................................................................................................................................................

Zaffirini.................................................................................................................................................................

32

47, 85

37

72, 84

48, 83

63

31

27, 78

46, 76

51

61, 64

45

58, 88

52

36, 65

83

61, 64

58, 88

19, 27, 38

19, 20, 24, 33, 40, 54, 63, 75

22, 47, 71

46, 51, 64, 84

36, 53, 88

53, 79, 85

96

LEGISLATION BY SPONSOR

SENATE BILLS PAGE

Aycock.................................................................................................................................................................

Bonnen, Greg................................................................................................................................................................

Button.................................................................................................................................................................

Clardy.................................................................................................................................................................

Coleman..................................................................................................................................................

Crownover................................................................................................................................................................

Dale.................................................................................................................................................................

Deshotel.................................................................................................................................................................

Elkins....................................................................................................................................................................

Fletcher.................................................................................................................................................................

Frank.................................................................................................................................................................

Frullo.................................................................................................................................................................

Guillen.................................................................................................................................................................

Howard..........................................................................................................................................................................

Huberty.................................................................................................................................................................

King, Susan.................................................................................................................................................................

Marquez..................................................................................................................................................................

Miller, Doug................................................................................................................................................................

Miller, Rick.................................................................................................................................................................

Morrison.................................................................................................................................................................

Muñoz, Jr..................................................................................................................................................................

Murphy.................................................................................................................................................................

Naishtat.................................................................................................................................................................

Oliveira.................................................................................................................................................................

Raney...........................................................................................................................................................

Sheffield.................................................................................................................................................................

Thompson, Senfronia..................................................................................................................................................

Villalba..................................................................................................................................................................s

Zerwas...........................................................................................................................................................................

82

79

34

90

43, 52

89

26, 81

70

86

38

59

22, 29

66

76, 77

73

49

68

82

87

57

72

73

21, 91

59

69

48

69 28, 50, 55, 58

34, 39, 56, 74, 90

30, 56, 68, 80

97

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

OFFICE OF EXTERNAL RELATIONSTEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARDP.O. BOX 12788AUSTIN, TEXAS 78711(512) 427-6111FAX: (512) 427-6127

This document is available on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board website: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/LegislativeIssues

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