LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session February 27, 1995 TO: Honorable Irma Rangel, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 85 Committee on Higher Education By: Hunter, Todd House of Representatives Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No. 85 (Relating to the development of distance learning and related activities by institutions of higher education) this office has determined the following: The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop a comprehensive master plan regarding distance learning for institutions of higher education. The plan would include recommendations for coordination of statewide resources, infrastructure development, training, funding and fee issues, public utility regulatory policies, and statutory or regulatory changes. The bill also would require an advisory committee comprised of representatives of institutions of higher education. Because planning activities related to the coordination of higher education are currently part of the Coordinating Board's mission, the requirements of this bill would fall within current expectations. Assuming the current level of Coordinating Board activities continue, no additional costs to the state are expected. Additionally, institutions of higher education currently provide support for advisory committees participating in statewide studies and planning efforts. It is assumed that the advisory committee requirement of this bill would be undertaken as part of the existing institutional support for such efforts. No fiscal implication to the State or units of local government is anticipated. Source: Higher Education Coordinating Board LBB Staff: JK, MK, WRR