By: Bivins S.B. No. 69
73R1849 SOS-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to assessment of the educational effect of legislation
1-3 establishing additional institutions of higher education, campuses,
1-4 extension centers, or professional schools or converting or merging
1-5 those entities.
1-6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-7 SECTION 1. Section 61.056, Education Code, is amended to
1-8 read as follows:
1-9 Sec. 61.056. ASSESSING THE EDUCATIONAL IMPACT <REVIEW> OF
1-10 LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONS, CAMPUSES,
1-11 EXTENSION CENTERS, OR PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS OR CONVERTING OR MERGING
1-12 THOSE ENTITIES. (a) Any proposed statute that <which> would
1-13 establish a new professional school, an additional institution of
1-14 higher education, or an additional campus or extension center of an
1-15 institution of higher education or would convert or merge
1-16 professional schools, institutions of higher education, or campuses
1-17 or extension centers of those entities<, except a public junior
1-18 college,> shall be submitted to the board<, either prior to
1-19 introduction or> by the chair of the standing committee considering
1-20 the proposed statute immediately after its referral to the
1-21 committee<, to the board for its opinion as to the state's need for
1-22 the institution>.
1-23 (b) The board shall assess the state's need for the change
1-24 and shall report its findings to the governor and the legislature
2-1 as soon as possible but not later than the 20th day before the last
2-2 possible day of the legislative session, unless submission to the
2-3 board occurs later than the 30th day before the last possible day
2-4 of the legislative session. The board is not required to report
2-5 its findings in less than 30 days. If there is insufficient time
2-6 for the board to complete its study during the legislative session,
2-7 the board shall report its findings during the next legislative
2-8 session.
2-9 (c) A recommendation that such a change <an additional
2-10 institution> is needed shall require the favorable vote of <at
2-11 least two-thirds of> the members of the board. The standing
2-12 committee may not vote on the proposed statute until the committee
2-13 receives the board's assessment.
2-14 (d) This section does not apply to statutes affecting public
2-15 junior colleges <A recommendation of the board shall not be
2-16 considered a condition precedent to the introduction or passage of
2-17 any proposed statute>.
2-18 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the
2-19 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-20 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-21 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-22 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
2-23 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-24 passage, and it is so enacted.