BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1563

By: Creighton

Appropriations

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (SHSU-COM) was established in 2019 to help expand health care availability in small and rural communities and address the shortage of primary care physicians in Texas. SHSU-COM is already one of the most competitive schools of its kind in the country with matriculant metrics, including MCAT scores and GPA, higher than the national average. Currently, the average in-state tuition and fees at a public medical school in Texas are about $23,800, but in-state tuition and fees at SHSU-COM are $59,100. S.B. 1563 seeks to eliminate disparities between SHSU-COM attendance costs and costs of other Texas medical schools by making SHSU-COM eligible for applicable formula funding.

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. 1563 repeals Section 96.66(h), Education Code, which establishes that Sam Houston State University is not entitled to receive any formula funding for the university's College of Osteopathic Medicine.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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