BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 238

79R3233 KEL-F                                                                                                                 By: Janek

                                                                                                                    S/C on Higher Education

   2/18/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, Section 61.084(a), Education code, requires persons who are appointed to a governing board of an institution of higher education to attend a training program provided by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board within the first two years of service.  Persons who are elected to such boards may attend the programs, but are not currently required to do so.  The training program covers budgeting, policy development, and governance.  The office of the attorney general, the comptroller, and the Texas Ethics Commission may provide information during the program including auditing procedures, enabling legislation of the institutions, the role of the board and the relationship with the administration, faculty and students, the disciplinary and administration authority of the board, open meetings and public information requirements, as well as conflicts of interest and applicable ethics policies relating to public officials. 

The information addressed in the training program should be disseminated to all persons serving on the governing boards of the institutions of higher education in this state.  As proposed, S.B. 238 amends Section 61.084(a) to require the attendance of elected members of the governing board of an institution of higher education. 

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 61.084(a), Education Code, to require each member of a governing board of an institution of higher education, rather than only members of such boards who are appointed, to attend a training program established by the Texas Higher Education Board.  Deletes text authorizing elected board members to attend such a training program.  Makes a conforming change.      

SECTION 2.  Sets forth the date by which certain elected members of the governing boards of institutions of higher education must attend a training program required by Section 61.084(a), Education Code, as amended by this Act. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.