SRC-CTC H.B. 2397 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2397
77R7849 KSD-FBy: Chavez (Zaffirini)
Education
5/4/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is concern regarding salary inequities between part-time
and full-time faculty members at public institutions of higher education in
Texas.  In 1988, the commissioner of the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board (board) appointed a committee to study the use of 
part-time faculty in public institutions of higher education.  One of the
committee's charges was to determine if part-time faculty received
equitable salary and benefits.  The committee concluded that additional
appropriations are needed to address inequities in the compensation of 
part-time faculty.  H.B. 2397 requires the board to conduct a study and to
produce a report on the disparity between the salary and benefits received
by part-time and full-time faculty members at public institutions of higher
education. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board in SECTION 2 of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 61C, Education Code, by adding Section 61.0816,
as follows: 

Sec. 61.0816.  FACULTY COMPENSATION DISPARITY STUDY AND REPORT. Requires
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to conduct a study to
make findings and recommendations the board considers appropriate regarding
any disparity between the salary and benefits received by part-time faculty
members and the salary and benefits received by full-time faculty members
at institutions of higher education.  Requires the board, not later than
November 1, 2002, to submit to certain state officials a written report
summarizing the study, findings, and recommendations of the board under
this section. Requires the information in the report to be reported without
identifying specific individuals. Provides that this section expires
December 1, 2002. 

SECTION 2.  Requires the board, not later than the 90th day after the
effective date of this Act, to adopt rules to implement Section 61.0816,
Education Code, as added by this Act. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.