79R12039 CAS-F


By:  Campbell, Gallego                                            H.B. No. 2041



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a TEXAS grant pilot project to provide incentives for 
students to attend certain underutilized public institutions of 
higher education.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter M, Chapter 56, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 56.3012 to read as follows:
	Sec. 56.3012.  PILOT PROJECT TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR 
ATTENDANCE AT UNDERUTILIZED PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.  (a)  The 
coordinating board shall establish a TEXAS grant pilot project as 
provided by this section to encourage students to attend eligible 
public institutions of higher education that offer extensive 
baccalaureate degree program options and that have sufficient 
facilities, administrative infrastructure, and faculty to serve 
additional students in order to reduce the need for this state to 
construct additional facilities or hire additional faculty at other 
institutions of higher education.
	(b)  From money available under Section 56.310 for purposes 
of this subchapter and money available under Section 56.464 for 
purposes of Subchapter Q, the coordinating board shall set aside 
sufficient money to provide TEXAS grants for the 2005-2006 and 
2006-2007 academic years to students who are initially eligible for 
a grant under Section 56.304 or 56.3041 in either of those years as 
follows:
		(1)  for a total of not more than 1,000 students 
enrolling for the first time at  Angelo State University; and
		(2)  for a total of not more than 600 students enrolling 
for the first time at Sul Ross State University.
	(c)  To the extent money set aside under Subsection (b) is 
available for the purpose, a person awarded a grant as provided by 
Subsection (b) who continues to be eligible for a grant under 
Section 56.305 may receive a grant from the money set aside.  If 
money set aside under Subsection (b) is not available to pay for a 
grant for a person awarded a grant as provided by Subsection (b) who 
continues to be eligible for a grant under Section 56.305, the 
person may receive a grant from the money available under Section 
56.310 on the same basis as other TEXAS grant applicants.
	(d)  The coordinating board shall reallocate for grants 
under this subchapter or for loans under Subchapter Q, as 
applicable, any money set aside for purposes of the TEXAS grant 
pilot project that is not used in the academic year for which the 
money is set aside.  Money reallocated under this subsection may be 
used at any eligible institution under this subchapter or 
Subchapter Q.
	(e)  Except as otherwise specifically provided by this 
section, this subchapter applies to a TEXAS grant awarded under 
this section.
	(f)  The coordinating board shall develop criteria for 
evaluating the TEXAS grant pilot project and, based on that 
evaluation, not later than January 1, 2007, shall report to the 80th 
Legislature the coordinating board's recommendations concerning 
whether to continue, expand to other underutilized eligible public 
institutions of higher education, or discontinue the TEXAS grant 
pilot project.
	SECTION 2.  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board 
shall adopt rules to administer Section 56.3012, Education Code, as 
added by this Act, as soon as practicable after the date this Act 
takes effect.  For that purpose, the board may adopt the initial 
rules in the manner provided by law for adoption of emergency rules.
	SECTION 3.  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.