81R561 CAS-F

By: Watson S.B. No. 185

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to establishing a commission to prepare and recommend a long-range plan for higher education in this state.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.4011 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.4011. COMMISSION TO RECOMMEND LONG-RANGE PLAN FOR HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) In this section:

(1) "General academic teaching institution" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, except that the term does not include a public state college.

(2) "Institution of higher education," "medical and dental unit," "public junior college," "public state college," "public technical institute," and "university system" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

(b) A commission is established to conduct a study of issues relating to the higher education system in this state and to recommend for that system a long-range plan to meet the demands of a global economy and a growing and diverse population.

(c) The commission is composed of 20 members as follows:

(1) 11 persons appointed by the commissioner of higher education as follows:

(A) a representative of The University of Texas System;

(B) a representative of The Texas A&M University System;

(C) a representative of the University of Houston System;

(D) a representative of the University of North Texas System;

(E) a representative of the Texas Tech University System;

(F) a representative of the Texas State University System;

(G) a representative of the Texas State Technical College System;

(H) a representative of the leading association of Texas junior and community colleges;

(I) a representative of the leading association of independent colleges and universities in Texas;

(J) a student enrolled at a general academic teaching institution; and

(K) a student enrolled at a public junior college;

(2) six persons who are not affiliated with a particular university system, appointed as follows, with consideration given to providing for ethnic, racial, gender, and geographic diversity among the members of the commission:

(A) two persons appointed by the governor, at least one of whom has demonstrated leadership and success in business;

(B) two persons appointed by the lieutenant governor, at least one of whom has demonstrated leadership and success in business; and

(C) two persons appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, at least one of whom has demonstrated leadership and success in business;

(3) two members of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board appointed by the chair of the coordinating board; and

(4) the state demographer.

(d) Appointments to the commission under Subsection (c) shall be made not later than October 1, 2009.

(e) The governor shall designate as the presiding officer of the commission a member of the commission who is not affiliated with a particular university system or public or private institution of higher education.

(f) The commission may request from any institution of higher education or other state agency assistance or information and, to the extent permissible under state and federal law and to the extent practicable, the institution or agency shall provide the assistance or information requested.

(g) The expenses of the commission shall be paid in equal amounts from the contingent expense accounts of the senate and the house of representatives, or as otherwise agreed to by the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives. Members of the commission serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses incurred in carrying out the commission's duties.

(h) The commission may study any issue the commission determines to be important to the future of higher education in this state, including:

(1) incentives, including concurrent enrollment and dual credit courses, and related requirements to facilitate seamless student transitions between and among high schools, public junior colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges, general academic teaching institutions, private and independent institutions of higher education, and medical and dental units;

(2) methods to improve communication and coordination between institutions of higher education and the business community to:

(A) create pathways to careers for students; and

(B) enhance curricula in a manner that will benefit students, businesses, and the overall economy of the state;

(3) concerns regarding current and projected student enrollment and enrollment capacity at The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University in College Station and methods for ensuring that those elite institutions remain competitive with other public and private flagship institutions of higher education;

(4) the creation of additional public flagship research institutions of higher education, including studying methods for:

(A) selecting the locations of those institutions, including consideration of the feasibility of selecting the locations through:

(i) a bidding or other competitive process among communities in this state; or

(ii) solicitation of proposals from existing public or private institutions of higher education, businesses, or other appropriate entities; and

(B) ensuring that those additional flagship institutions admit a qualified and diverse student body;

(5) methods:

(A) that can be used to identify the mission, areas of specialization, and unique attributes of each institution of higher education; and

(B) that the institutions can use to better coordinate among themselves and to further develop, enhance, and promote their respective missions;

(6) criteria for establishment of new graduate programs;

(7) alternative methods of funding institutions of higher education, with emphasis on studying how research universities should be funded; and

(8) the TEXAS grant, Texas educational opportunity grant, tuition equalization grant, and other financial aid programs, including whether to add to the TEXAS grant program a component that targets students at the preschool and primary and secondary school levels to encourage those students to commit to and succeed in higher education programs and that may include a work-study requirement.

(i) Based on the commission's study under Subsection (h), the commission shall prepare a report, including findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation the commission determines would be beneficial to further the commission's recommendations. The report must include recommendations for improving financial aid programs to ensure that the maximum number of eligible students receive financial aid and that a minimum number of students are burdened with debt as a result of attending institutions of higher education. Not later than October 1, 2010, the commission shall submit the report to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the presiding officer of each legislative standing committee or subcommittee with jurisdiction over higher education.

(j) This section expires January 1, 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.