Floor Packet Page No. 87                                                    

	
PROFESSIONAL NURSING SHORTAGE REDUCTION PROGRAM
	Amend Article III, THECB Bill Pattern as follows:                              
	1.  Create a new Strategy D.1.13. Strategy:  Professional 
Nursing Shortage Reduction Program and fund with $3,000,000 in FY 
2006 and $3,000,000 in FY 2007 by transferring funds as follows:
		a.  Transfer $3,000,000 in FY 2006 and $3,000,000 in FY 
2007 to new Strategy D.1.13 (Professional Nursing Shortage 
Reduction Program) from Article III, THECB Bill Pattern, Strategy 
E.1.4 (Nursing Enrollment Growth).
	2.  Add a rider that reads as follows:                                         
	__.  The funds appropriated under Strategy D.1.13 for the 
Professional Nursing Shortage Reduction Program (Sec. 
61.9621-.9628, Education Code) are trusteed to the Texas Higher 
Education Coordinating Board to achieve the following outcomes: 1) 
increasing the number of graduates from professional nursing 
programs, 2) increasing the percentage of students in professional 
nursing programs that graduate within a reasonable time as 
determined by the board, and 3) increasing the number of graduates 
from master's and doctoral programs in nursing that join the 
faculty of a professional nursing program.  Funds shall only be used 
to: 1) create additional nurse faculty positions, 2) provide 
temporary salary supplements for professional nursing faculty, and 
3) engage qualified preceptors to expand faculty capacity.  
"Professional nursing program" has the meaning assigned by Sec, 
61.9621, Education Code.
	The funds shall be distributed in an equitable manner to 
institutions based on the increase in the number of graduates over 
those produced in the preceding fiscal year.  Funds appropriated 
for FY 2006 shall be distributed for increases in the number of 
graduates produced in FY 2005.  Funds appropriated for FY 2007 shall 
be distributed for increases in the number of graduates produced in 
FY 2006.
	To be eligible for funds, an institution shall submit to the 
board no later than September 15, its projected increase in 
graduates from its professional nursing program over the preceding 
fiscal year unless the board sets a different submission date.  A 
preliminary distribution of a percentage of the appropriated funds 
for each fiscal year shall be made to institutions by November 1 or 
45 days after the board-established date for submission of 
projected graduates.  Final distribution shall be reconciled at the 
end of each fiscal year based on actual increases achieved.
	An institution is eligible to receive funds appropriated for 
FY 2006 only if it commits for FY 2006 to spend funds on its 
professional nursing program at least equal to the funds spent in FY 
2005 and for funds appropriated for FY 2007 only if it commits for 
FY 2007 to spend funds equal at least to the funds spent in FY 2006.  
Funds received under Strategy D.1.13 shall not be included in these 
calculations.
	Five percent of the funds appropriated under Strategy D.1.13 
are appropriated for administrative expenses as authorized by Sec. 
61.9628, Education Code.
	The board shall have the authority to transfer funds from 
Strategy D.1.8 (Professional Nursing Financial Aid) to Strategy 
D.1.13 (Professional Nursing Shortage Reduction Program) for the 
purposes set out in this rider.
	Any funds not expended in FY 2006 may be expended in FY 2007.