BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1085
International Relations & Trade
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Universities across the nation are setting up outposts in foreign countries. While Texas universities are concentrating on expanding their global reach, legislators must also ensure that they have access to information regarding how the campuses outside the United States are being funded. It is important for Texans to know whether their tax dollars are supporting campuses outside of the United States.
As proposed, S.B. 1085 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to require each institution of higher education with a campus outside the United States to report to THECB the sources of funding for the campuses and the manner in which the funds are disbursed. The bill requires THECB to prepare and submit to the legislature a report on the information received from the institutions.
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 61.0691, as follows:
Sec. 61.0691. REPORT ON FUNDING FOR CAMPUSES LOCATED OUTSIDE UNITED STATES. (a) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to require, each biennium, each university system or institution of higher education that maintains a campus outside the United States to report to THECB detailed information regarding the sources of funding for the campus, including the tuition and fees charged to students enrolled at the campus, and the manner in which the funds are disbursed.
(b) Requires THECB, not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, to prepare and submit to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a written report based on the information received by THECB under Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.