S.B. No. 629

AN ACT

relating to the operation of certain institutions of higher education as general academic teaching institutions and to the statutory limitation imposed on certain university systems to issue revenue bonds to fund facilities at certain institutions of higher education.

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

SECTION 1. Subsection (d), Section 87.841, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, Texas A&M University--San Antonio may not operate as a general academic teaching institution until the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board certifies that enrollment at the Texas A&M University--Kingsville System Center--San Antonio has reached an enrollment equivalent of[:

[(1)] 1,000 full-time students for one semester [if the legislature authorizes revenue bonds to be issued to finance educational and related facilities for the institution, and the bonds are issued for that purpose; or

[(2) 2,500 full-time students for one semester if the conditions specified by Subdivision (1) are not satisfied].

SECTION 2. Subsection (d), Section 105.501, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the University of North Texas at Dallas may operate as a general academic teaching institution with its own chief executive officer, administration, and faculty only after the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board certifies that enrollment at the University of North Texas System Center at Dallas has reached an enrollment equivalent to 1,000 full-time students for one semester. Until that enrollment level is reached, the board may operate a system center of the University of North Texas in the city of Dallas. [Prior to reaching 2,500 full-time equivalent students, the University of North Texas at Dallas may not receive general revenue in excess of the 2003 expended amount with the exception of funding provided through the General Academic Instruction and Operations Formula for semester credit hour increases and the Tuition Revenue Bond debt service for bonds approved in the 78th Legislature. The institution will not be eligible to receive the small school supplement in the General Academic Instruction and Operations Formula until it reaches 2,500 full-time equivalent student enrollment.]

SECTION 3. The following statutes are repealed:

(1) Subsections (d) and (e), Section 55.1751, Education Code; and

(2) Subsection (d), Section 55.1755, Education Code.

SECTION 4. This Act does not make an appropriation. This Act takes effect only if a specific appropriation for the implementation of the Act is provided in a general appropriations act of the 81st Legislature.

SECTION 5. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, 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, except as otherwise provided by this Act.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 629 passed the Senate on April 20, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 629 passed the House on May 13, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 0, one present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

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Date

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Governor