SRC-JJJ S.B. 466 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 466
76R2626 JSA-DBy: Haywood
Higher Education
2/10/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

This bill would assess the average salary of each faculty level at public
institutions of higher education by the 10 most populous states, not
including Texas, and adopt a formula that will, by the end of the third
biennium, result in the average salary of each faculty level at public
institutions of higher education in this state being equal to or greater
than the average salary of that faculty level paid by the other states. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 466 establishes faculty compensation policies at
institutions of higher education. 

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 51Z, by adding Section 51.9081, as follows:

Sec. 51.9081.  FACULTY COMPENSATION POLICIES UNTIL 2005.  Requires the
governing boards of each institution of higher education to determine, by
January 1, 2000, whether the average salary of each faculty level at the
institution  for the state fiscal biennium ending September 1, 1999, is
less than the average salary at each faculty level paid at public
institutions of higher education in the 10 most populous states, excluding
Texas, according to the most recent information available. Requires the
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to assist each governing
body in obtaining the necessary information. Requires the governing body of
an institution to report the determination and relevant data to THECB, if
the governing body determines the average salary at each faculty level in
Texas is less than that in the other states.  Requires THECB to adopt a
formula for that institution to reduce the percentage difference between
the average salary of each faculty level by onethird over the next three
fiscal bienniums, to the extent funds are available, so that by the end of
the third biennium the average salary of each faculty level will be equal
to or greater than the average paid by the other states.  Requires the
institution to implement the formula or take other action to acheive the
same or greater average salary by the end of each biennium covered by the
formula.  Requires that THECB account for any salary increases required to
be made at those institutions, when establishing funding formulas.
Establishes that this section expires September 1, 2005. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
            Effective date: upon passage.