BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2007

By: Hegar

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, created the Texas excellence fund and the university research fund to enhance research.  The 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, combined the two funds to establish the research development fund, which supports increased research capacity at eligible general academic teaching institutions.  All general academic teaching institutions, except The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and Prairie View A&M University, are eligible to participate in the fund.

S.B. 2007 removes a restriction on Prairie View A&M University's eligibility to participate in the research development fund.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 2007 amends the Education Code to remove Prairie View A&M University from the list of institutions specifically excluded from the general eligibility of a general academic teaching institution to receive the annual distribution of apportioned assets of the research development fund.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.