By:  Ellis                                                        S.B. No. 1553

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a program for alternative funding of Toward EXcellence, Access, & Success (TEXAS) grants. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 56.310, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: (a) The coordinating board shall [may] solicit and accept gifts, [and] grants, and donations from any public or private source for the purposes of this subchapter. (c) In performing its duties under Subsection (a), the coordinating board shall develop and implement an appropriate process for the naming and sponsoring of the program created under this subchapter, an individual grant awarded under this subchapter, or any item received by the coordinating board under Subsection (a). SECTION 2. Subsection (a), Section 56.302, Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) Except as provided under Section 56.310(c), the [The] student financial assistance program authorized by this subchapter is known as the Toward EXcellence, Access, & Success (TEXAS) grant program, and an individual grant awarded under this subchapter is known as a TEXAS grant. SECTION 3. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall: (1) study alternative methods of funding the Toward EXcellence, Access, & Success (TEXAS) grant program created under Subchapter M, Chapter 56, Education Code; and (2) not later than September 1, 2006, report to the Legislative Oversight Committee on the TEXAS grant program and Teach for Texas grant program concerning the results of the study. SECTION 4. 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.