Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Higher Education
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1431 by Alonzo (Relating to the establishment of the Sustainable Water Supply Research Center at The University of Texas at Arlington.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Under provisions of the bill, the Board of Regenets of the University of Texas System may establish and operate the Sustainable Water Supply Research Center at The University of Texas at Arlington. The center would: conduct, sponsor, or direct multidisciplinary research directed toward: developing sustainable water supplies for this state; and mitigating the effect of diminishing water supplies on the economy and people of this state; and conduct a comprehensive, interdisciplinary instructional program in sustainable water development at the graduate level and offer undergraduate courses for students interested in sustainable water development. The organization, control, and management of the center are vested in the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System.
Under provisions of the bill the Center may enter into an agreement or may cooperate with a public or private entity to perform the research functions of the center. The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System may also solicit, accept, and administer gifts and grants from any public or private source for the use and benefit of the center. If the Center is established, the University of Texas System has indicated that one additional water resouces faculty member at a salary $150,000 per year, one administrative assistant at a salary of $35,000 per year and two graduate research assistants at a salary of $16,000 each per year along with benefit and insurance costs of $64,536 would be needed to run the Center. The System also estimates that computer and lab equipment in the amount of $100,000 and travel funds of $30,000 per year would be needed for a total cost of $411,536 per year. It is assumed the cost will be absorbed by the university since the bill does not require the State to appropriate funding for the Center.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
720 The University of Texas System Administration, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board