By: Howard of Travis (Senate Sponsor - Ellis) H.B. No. 3276

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 8, 2009; May 8, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education; May 21, 2009, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 21, 2009, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 3276 By: Patrick

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study of priorities for awards of TEXAS grants.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter M, Chapter 56, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 56.309 to read as follows:

Sec. 56.309. STUDY OF PRIORITIES FOR AWARD OF TEXAS GRANTS. (a) The Legislative Budget Board, in consultation with the coordinating board, shall conduct a study to identify and recommend methods of prioritizing the award of TEXAS grants to eligible students to ensure the most effective use of money available under the program. The study must include an examination of the effects of prioritizing the award of grants:

(1) based on the financial need of students; and

(2) in a manner designed to provide an incentive for students to meet college readiness standards, including successful performance on assessment instruments under Section 51.3062.

(b) Not later than December 1, 2010, the Legislative Budget Board shall report the results of 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.

(c) This section expires January 31, 2011.

SECTION 2. 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.

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