BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 695

By: Hughes

Appropriations

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The health care industry has experienced an unprecedented challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the hardship, Texas has recognized the importance of a well-trained and fully staffed health care system. Pharmacies are an integral aspect of the industry and a key resource in providing lifesaving medications to Texans of all ages. There are currently eight pharmacy schools across multiple university systems in Texas. Under current law, funding for the pharmacy school at The University of Texas at Tyler can be allocated at the discretion of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), but the pharmacy school at UT Tyler does not receive funding through the state's formula funding model, instead relying on tuition and philanthropy to find its operation. Changing the school's funding model would allow the school to continue to meet critical health care needs in East Texas. S.B. 695 seeks to ensure equitable funding between the pharmacy school at UT Tyler and the other pharmacy schools in the state by providing for the school's eligibility for funding under applicable formulas established by the THECB.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 695 makes the school of pharmacy at The University of Texas at Tyler eligible for funding under formulas established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for instruction, operations, or infrastructure by repealing Section 76.026(c), Education Code, which establishes the school's ineligibility for such funding under those formulas.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.