BILL ANALYSIS
By: Shapiro
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently there are over 400 reporting requirements for institutions of higher education. By consolidating the scope of reporting, the university systems and their component institutions would be able to utilize the millions of dollars spent on these reports in a more efficient and effective manner.
S.B. 1226 directs the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in conjunction with the Legislative Budget Board, to study the reporting requirements for institutions of higher education.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Section 61.051, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-4) to read as follows:
(a-4) The board and the Legislative Budget Board jointly shall study each reporting requirement imposed on an institution of higher education by state law, including by board or other state agency rule, to determine if any of those requirements are duplicative, inefficient, or unnecessary. As part of the biennial report submitted by the board to the 80th Legislature under Subsection (a-3), the board and the Legislative Budget Board jointly shall report the results of the study to the legislature. The report must include any recommendation of the board and the Legislative Budget Board for legislation or administrative action, including changes to state agency rules, to consolidate or simplify reports, eliminate unnecessary reporting requirements, or make other changes to promote efficiency or reduce administrative burdens in reporting. A recommendation under this subsection must include an explanation of the basis for the recommendation. Not later than December 1, 2006, the board and the Legislative Budget Board shall submit a copy of the report required by this subsection to the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives. This subsection expires January 31, 2007.
SECTION 2. Effective date:
EFFECTIVE DATE
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, 2005.