SRC-AAA S.B. 1473 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1473 By: Ellis Finance 4-4-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, most universities have a minimum workload policy for professors to teach three courses. A 1994 State Auditor's Office report found that professors in public universities taught an average of just two courses per semester. This bill would direct the Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish standards for faculty teaching loads. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1473 would direct the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish standards for faculty teaching loads. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 51H, Education Code, by adding Section 51.406, as follows: Sec. 51.406. CLASSROOM TEACHING LOAD STANDARDS. Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to establish standards for faculty teaching loads for all general academic teaching institutions. Sets forth requirements of standards for faculty teaching loads for all general academic teaching institutions. Defines "general academic teaching institutions." Sets forth applicability of the standards for faculty teaching loads. Sets forth requirements for funds saved by the reduction to the funding base. Requires the board to use certain standards until teaching load standards are established. Sets forth effects of failing to satisfy faculty teaching loads standards. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.