BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1226
By: Shapiro
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
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
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 61.051, Education Code, by adding Subsection (a-4) to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) and the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) jointly to 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. Requires the board and LBB jointly, as part of the biennial report submitted by the board to the 80th Legislature under Subsection (a-3) (Coordination of Institutions of Public Higher Education), to report the results of the study to the legislature. Requires that the report include any recommendation of the board and the LBB 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. Requires a recommendation under this subsection to include an explanation of the basis for the recommendation. Requires the board and LBB, no later than January 1, 2007 to submit a copy of the report required by this subsection to certain state elected officials. Provides that this subsection expires January 31, 2007.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.
LIST OF COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS
Committee Amendment No. 1
Amends S.B. 1226 in SECTION 1 by requiring the report to be submitted no later than December 1, 2006, rather than January 1, 2007, and by adding the governor to the list of elected officials required to receive the report.