81R1998 JSA-D

By: Branch H.B. No. 51

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to funding and other measures to support emerging public research universities in developing and maintaining programs of the highest tier.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 61.059, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (n) to read as follows:

(n) In addition to the other funding recommendations required by this section, biennially the board shall determine the amount that the board considers appropriate to adequately fund the programs authorized by Section 61.0593 in the following state fiscal biennium to carry out the purposes of that section and shall make recommendations to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board for funding those programs in that biennium.

SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 61.0593 to read as follows:

Sec. 61.0593. RESEARCH UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "emerging research university" means an institution of higher education that the board determines:

(1) is a research university as that term is commonly used in classifying or ranking institutions of higher education; and

(2) has demonstrated a commitment to developing and maintaining degree and research programs that support the mission of the institution and the institution's efforts to improve its ranking among research universities.

(b) To enable emerging research universities to attract and retain the most capable students, faculty, and researchers, maintain a highly trained and dynamic workforce, obtain financial support for research and development, promote technology transfer and innovation in order to contribute to this state's competitiveness in the global economy, and develop and maintain relevant degree and research programs that are comparable in quality to similar programs at research universities of the highest tier, the board shall administer a program to provide funding and other assistance to emerging research universities.

(c) From money available for the purpose, the board may award a grant to an emerging research university:

(1) to match money the university receives in connection with a major research grant;

(2) to match money the university commits to the recruitment or retention of faculty or research staff who have been recognized for professional excellence; and

(3) to match gifts or grants made or pledged to the university that the board determines will be used to promote other purposes of this section.

(d) From money available for the purpose, the board may award a matching grant to an emerging research university to support any of the following activities to the extent the board determines the activity promotes the purposes of this section:

(1) merit-based scholarships or other merit-based financial aid for undergraduate students;

(2) graduate student fellowships;

(3) faculty professorships and chairs;

(4) research support, including the acquisition and maintenance of research facilities, infrastructure, and equipment;

(5) efforts to recruit and retain at-risk undergraduate students; and

(6) efforts to recruit and train students in fields for which the state or local workforce has a critical need.

(e) In awarding a matching grant to a university under this section, the board may provide state money only to match money available to the university obtained or pledged from private or community sources, including gifts and grants, or from other nontraditional or alternative sources.

(f) In awarding a grant under this section, the board shall consider:

(1) the demonstrated commitment of the university to undergraduate research education;

(2) the amount of research funding the institution has obtained or committed annually per full-time faculty member;

(3) the professional achievements and recognition of the institution's faculty, including election to a national academy;

(4) the demonstrated commitment and success of the university in developing and maintaining degree and research programs described by Subsection (b);

(5) the level of community support for the university's efforts to develop and maintain such programs; and

(6) the relative contribution the grant is likely to make in carrying out the purposes of this section.

(g) In addition to funding under this section, the board shall provide leadership and other resources as the board considers appropriate to assist emerging research institutions in this state to carry out the purposes of this section.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.