BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 607
By: Uresti, et al.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, Texas A&M University—Kingsville System Center-San Antonio offers 19 undergraduate degree plans, eight graduate degree programs, an MBA program, and an alternative teacher's certification program at a temporary campus provided by the San Antonio Independent School District. Recent student enrollment numbers show a 63 percent increase from Spring 2008 to Spring 2009, to a total of 1,673 students (equal to 1,052 full-time equivalent students). The City of San Antonio has been supporting the A&M effort through infrastructure support and the donation of property for a 700-acre campus in order to meet growing demands for higher education in the region.
S.B. 607 changes the number of students required to activate $40 million in funding through the Tuition Revenue Bonds passed last session for Texas A&M University—San Antonio construction and contingent upon meeting certain threshold requirements.
As proposed, S.B. 607 deletes threshold and date requirements to provide that Texas A&M University--San Antonio is operable as a general academic teaching institution.
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 Section 87.841(d), Education Code, as follows:
(d) Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, Texas A&M University (TAMU)--San Antonio is prohibited from operating as a general academic teaching institution until the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) certifies that enrollment at the TAMU--Kingsville System Center--San Antonio has reached an enrollment equivalent of 1,000 full-time students for one semester, rather than an enrollment equivalent of 1,000 full-time students for one semester if the legislature authorizes revenue bonds to be issued to finance educational and related facilities for the institution, and the bonds are issued for that purpose, or if these conditions are not satisfied, 2,500 full-time students for one semester. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 55.1751(e), Education Code, as follows:
(e) Provides that, notwithstanding Subsection (a) (regarding authority to finance projects), the TAMU System is prohibited from issuing bonds under this section for facilities at TAMU--San Antonio until THECB certifies that enrollment at TAMU--San Antonio has reached an enrollment equivalent of 1,000 full-time students for one semester, rather than 1,500 full-time students for one semester. Deletes existing text providing that if that enrollment is not reached by January 1, 2010, the system's ability to issue bonds for TAMU--San Antonio under this section expires on that date.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.