SRC-JLB S.B. 571 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 571
78R3097 JSA-DBy: Shapleigh
Government Organization
3/21/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the comptroller's office conducts Texas School Performance
Reviews (performance reviews) to improve the operational efficiency of
public school districts.  Sixty-seven reviews have been completed,
resulting in improved operations, greater accountability, and a
significant savings to taxpayers throughout the state.  As proposed, S.B.
571 authorizes the comptroller to conduct performance reviews of
institutions of higher education, including community colleges and
four-year universities and colleges.  A performance review may be
initiated by the comptroller, by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board, at the request of the president of the institution, or by a
resolution adopted by a majority of the governing board of the
institution, and such a review must include the institution's fiscal
operations, management, student services, and curriculum.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 403.020, Government Code, as follows:

Sec.  403.020.  New heading:  PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND
GENERAL ACADEMIC TEACHING INSTITUTIONS.  (a) Provides that in this section
"general academic teaching institution" has the meaning assigned by
Section 61.003, Education Code. 

(b) Authorizes the comptroller of public accounts of the State of Texas
(comptroller) to periodically review the effectiveness and efficiency of
the budgets and operation of school districts and general academic
teaching institutions.  Redesignated from Subsection (a). 

(c) Created from existing text of Subsection (a).  Authorizes a review of
a general academic teaching institution to be initiated by the comptroller
or by the request of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or of
the institution.  Makes a nonsubstantive change.  

(d) Created from existing text.  Authorizes a review to be initiated by a
general academic teaching institution only at the request of the president
of the institution or by a resolution adopted by a majority of the
governing board of the institution. 

(e) Redesignated from Subsection (b).  Makes conforming changes.

(f) Requires a review of a general academic teaching institution under
this section to include review of the institution's fiscal operations,
management, student services, and curriculum. 
 
(g) Redesignated from Subsection (c).  Requires the comptroller to perform
certain acts.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.