SRC-DPW H.B. 1346 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1346 By: Salinas (Zaffirini) Education 5/3/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, many rural counties have a difficult time attracting institutions of higher learning in the forms of daytime extension facilities, branch campuses, or vocational facilities due to a lack of classroom and administrative office space. This bill would establish a procedure for the adoption of a junior college branch campus maintenance tax by certain counties in order to raise the funds necessary to build or renovate buildings. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1346 establishes a procedure for the adoption of a junior college branch campus maintenance tax by certain counties. 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 Section 130.087(b), Education Code, to require a governing body of a junior college district branch campus or county to forward to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (coordinating board) a copy of a genuine petition to authorize a branch campus maintenance tax. Authorizes the governing body of a county with a population of 50,000 or less, to propose an election to authorize a branch campus maintenance tax, on completion of a needs assessment analysis and approval by the coordinating board. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.