IMF S.B. 1578 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS STATE AFFAIRS S.B. 1578 By: Bivins (Hunter) 5-20-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is an 18-member gubernatorial board representing all areas of the state. Senate Rule 7.09(1) requires the director of the Legislative Budget Board to consult with the coordinating board and prepare a Higher Education Impact Statement if the director determines that a bill or joint resolution authorizes or requires a change in the classification, mission, or governance structure of an institution of higher education or would establish such an institution. S.B. 1578 would authorize the coordinating board to hold meetings to consider the impact of legislation on higher education by telephone conference call or video conference call. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1578 outlines provisions authorizing the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to consider higher education impact statements. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 551F, Government Code, by adding Section 551.126, as follows: Sec. 551.126. HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD. Defines "board." Authorizes the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to hold an open meeting by telephone conference call or video conference call in order to consider a higher education impact statement (statement) if the preparation of a statement by the board is to be provided under the rules of either the house of representatives or the senate. Requires a meeting held by telephone conference call to comply with the procedures described in Section 551.125. Provides that a meeting held by video conference call is subject to the notice requirements applicable to other meetings. Sets forth requirements for a meeting held by conference call. SECTION 2. Amends Section 61.025, Education Code, by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (e), to require the board to hold regular quarterly meetings in the city of Austin, and other meetings at places and times scheduled by it in formal sessions and called by the chairman, except as provided by Section 551.126, Government Code. Requires an agenda for the meetings in sufficient detail to indicate the items on which final action is contemplated to be mailed to the chairman of each governing board and to the chief administrative officer of each state institution of higher education at least 30 days prior to the meeting except as provided by Subsection (e). Authorizes the board to hold a meeting to consider a statement if a statement by the board is to be provided under the rules of either the house of representatives or the senate. Requires the meeting to be called by the chair and the board to provide notice of the meeting in accordance with Chapter 551, Government Code. Provides that the board is not required to mail an agenda 30 days in advance to the governing boards and institutions as provided in Subsection (c), for a meeting to consider a statement. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage. Emergency clause.