By:  Solis                                                        H.B. No. 3514



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to to an interim committee on higher education formula 
funding.    
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that:                                        
		(1)  it is vital to the economy of this state that all 
areas of the state have access to quality higher education.
		(2)  it is in the interest of all citizens of this state 
that a sufficiently funded higher education infrastructure exist 
that affords its citizens opportunities to become educated and 
productive members of the state's economy.
		(3)  the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 
report on Closing the Gaps provides the state a blueprint for 
meeting its current and future higher education needs.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  An interim committee is established to study 
higher education funding formulas.  The interim committee is 
composed of six members.  The membership of the committee from each 
chamber shall be representative of all geographic areas of the 
state, who are appointed as follows:
		(1)  three members of the senate, appointed by the 
lieutenant governor; and 
		(2)  three members of the house of representatives, 
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
	(b)  The committee members shall select a presiding officer 
from among their membership and shall meet at the call of the 
presiding officer.
	(c)  The committee shall:                                                      
		(1)  study the adequacy, availability, and equity of 
higher education funding and its relationship to closing the gaps, 
including factors such as per capita income, employment rate, 
percentage age without college degrees, percentage of fall 
enrollment growth and projected enrollment growth in the region 
served.
		(2)  develop recommendations based on the study for 
changes in higher education funding formulas that maximize the 
states limited resources to promote a skilled and viable workforce 
and to meet the needs of our diverse state economy.
	(d)  Not later than November 1, 2004, the committee shall 
prepare a report describing its recommendations and shall deliver 
the report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the 
house of representatives.
	(e)  The committee shall adopt rules to administer this 
section.             
	(f)  The committee is abolished and this section expires 
September 1, 2005.  
	SECTION 3.  Not later than November 1, 2003, the lieutenant 
governor and speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint 
members to the interim committee as provided by Section 2 of this 
Act.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.