80R6810 CAS-D

By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1055

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to establishing a commission to study and report on the projected need for faculty at public and private institutions of higher education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.4022 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.4022. COMMISSION TO STUDY AND REPORT ON PROJECTED NEED FOR FACULTY. (a) In this section:

(1) "General academic teaching institution" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, except the term does not include a public state college.

(2) "Medical and dental unit," "private or independent institution of higher education," "public junior college," and "public state college" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

(b) A commission is established to conduct a study of the need for faculty at public and private institutions of higher education in this state as projected through the end of the 2026-2027 academic year.

(c) The commission shall be composed of nine members as follows:

(1) a representative of each of the following entities, appointed by the commissioner of higher education not later than October 1, 2007:

(A) the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;

(B) a general academic teaching institution;

(C) a medical and dental unit;

(D) a private or independent institution of higher education; and

(E) a public junior college;

(2) three other persons as follows with expertise concerning higher education in this state, appointed not later than October 1, 2007:

(A) one member appointed by the governor;

(B) one member appointed by the lieutenant governor; and

(C) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(3) the state demographer.

(d) The commission may request assistance and information, other than confidential information relating to an identifiable individual, from any public institution of higher education or other state agency. An institution or other agency shall provide the assistance and information requested to the extent practicable.

(e) The expenses of the commission shall be paid in equal amounts from the contingent expense accounts of the senate and house of representatives, or as otherwise agreed to by the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house. Members of the commission serve without compensation, but are entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in carrying out the commission's duties.

(f) The commission shall study:

(1) the number of new faculty members needed to achieve the goals of "Closing the Gaps," the state's master plan for higher education, and the academic disciplines in which the new faculty members are needed;

(2) the number of qualified persons available to serve as faculty members in this state and throughout the nation and the demand for the services of those persons in this state and throughout the nation;

(3) the effects of faculty retirements at public and private institutions of higher education in this state and throughout the nation on the number of qualified persons available to serve as faculty members;

(4) the academic disciplines likely to have the greatest need for new faculty, as determined from:

(A) faculty supply and demand; and

(B) the potential of faculty members in particular academic disciplines, such as health care, to contribute to this state's competitiveness and the general welfare of the state's residents;

(5) the capacity of public and private institutions of higher education in this state to prepare persons who are qualified to serve as faculty members at institutions in this state and across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, with emphasis on the disciplines identified under Subdivision (4);

(6) methods to increase the capacity to meet the need for new faculty; and

(7) any other matter the commission determines may affect the state's need for new faculty at public and private institutions of higher education or may contribute to meeting that need.

(g) The commission shall prepare a report based on the study required by this section. The commission shall submit the report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house, and the coordinating board not later than September 1, 2008.

(h) This section expires January 1, 2009.

SECTION 2. 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, 2007.