AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, a training program is required for all members appointed to the governing boards of institutions of higher education. C.S.H.B. 1206 extends this training requirement to elected members and sets out more specific content guidelines for such a training program.
C.S.H.B. 1206 amends current law relating to training for members of governing boards of public junior college districts.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 61.084, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 61.084, Education Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (e) and (f), as follows:
(a) Requires each member of a governing board of an institution of higher education, rather than requires each member of a governing board of an institution of higher education the members of which are appointed, to attend, during the member's first two years of service as a member of a governing board of an institution of higher education, at least one training program under this section. Authorizes a member of a governing board who is required to attend a training program under this section to attend additional training programs under this section. Deletes existing text authorizing a member of a governing board of an institution of higher education the members of which are elected to attend a training program conducted under this section. Deletes existing text providing that a member may, but need not, attend additional training programs.
(e) Requires that topics covered by the training program for members of a governing board of a public junior college district, in addition to the content of the instruction at a training program required by Subsection (d) (relating to requiring the content of the instruction at the training program to focus on the official role and duties of the members of governing boards and to provide training in the areas of budgeting, policy development, and governance), include information about best practices in campus financial management, financial ratio analysis, and case studies using financial indicators.
(f) Requires that the minutes of the last regular meeting held by a governing board of a public junior college district during a calendar year reflect whether each member of the governing board has completed any training required to be completed by the member under this section as of the meeting date.
(g) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to provide an equivalent training program by electronic means in the event a member of governing board is unable to attend the training program required by this section. Provides that completion of the training program by electronic means is deemed to satisfy the requirements of this section.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2011.