BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.H.B. 4149
81R33503 KJM-D By: Rose, Branch (Zaffirini)
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is not required to conduct cost-savings studies for institutions of higher education.
C.S.H.B. 4149 amends current law relating to certain studies and reports by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding achievable cost-saving measures and the use and availability of electronic textbooks at institutions of higher education.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.0664, as follows:
Sec. 61.0664. STUDY OF ACHIEVABLE COST-SAVING MEASURES; REPORT. (a) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to conduct a study to identify achievable cost-saving measures in the management and operation of institutions of higher education.
(b) Requires THECB, not later than January 31, 2011, to report the results of the study required by Subsection (a) to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and presiding officer for each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education. Requires that the report include THECB's recommendations concerning cost-saving measures that are achievable at institutions of higher education and an estimate of the amount of money that would be saved during a five-year period through the implementation of each recommendation.
(c) Provides that this section expires January 31, 2011.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.0665, as follows:
Sec. 61.0665. STUDY ON USE AND AVAILABILITY OF ELECTRONIC TEXTBOOKS. (a) Requires THECB to conduct a study and recommend policies regarding the use and availability of electronic textbooks in higher education in this state and in other states. Requires that the study and policy recommendations include a specific focus on the results of the pilot program implemented by The University of Texas at Austin with respect to the use of electronic textbooks and address methods for encouraging the use of electronic textbooks at public or private institutions of higher education in this state.
(b) Requires each student regent serving under Section 51.355 (Nonvoting Student Regent; University System Board of Regents) or 51.356 (Nonvoting Student Regent; Institution Board of Regents) to assist THECB in performing THECB's duties under Subsection (a). Requires THECB to establish procedures to assist a student regent in complying with this subsection.
(c) Authorizes THECB to solicit and accept gifts and grants from any public or private source to conduct the study and develop policy recommendations under this section.
(d) Requires THECB, not later than December 1, 2010, to make an initial report and recommendations based on the study to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and presiding officer of each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education. Provides that this subsection expires January 31, 2011.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.