BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2630

By: Branch

Higher Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas A&M University System consolidated its major health-related institutions and programs to create The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center more than 10 years ago. While some of the health science center's components are recognized in statute, the health science center, its college of medicine, college of nursing, school of graduate studies, rural and community health institute, and school of rural public health are not sufficiently recognized. C.S.H.B. 2630 seeks to codify The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center as a state health-related institution.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2630 amends the Education Code to set out the component institutions, agencies, and programs under the management and control of the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System that compose The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center. The bill authorizes The Texas A&M University Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry to use the name "Baylor" only in accordance with a licensed agreement between the health science center and Baylor University or other written approval from Baylor University or as otherwise permitted by law.

C.S.H.B. 2630 establishes that venue for a suit filed against the health science center, any component institution, agency, or program of the health science center, or any officer or employee of the health science center is in Brazos County. The bill establishes that related provisions do not waive any defense to or immunity from suit or liability that may be asserted by an entity or individual described by related provisions and that in case of a conflict between the related provisions and any other law, the related provisions control.

C.S.H.B. 2630 authorizes the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System to expend funds appropriated to it by the legislature for all lawful purposes of the health science center and its component institutions, agencies, and programs as well as funds available under constitutional authority for the support of the health science center and its component institutions, agencies, and programs.

C.S.H.B. 2630 requires the board to maintain a college of pharmacy as a component of the health science center, to be known as The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy. The bill requires the primary building in which the school is operated in Kleberg County to include "Irma Rangel" in its official name.

C.S.H.B. 2630 defines "board" and "health science center" and redefines "medical and dental unit" to include The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center and its component institutions, agencies, and programs and the nursing institutions of The Texas A&M University System. The bill repeals provisions of law relating to The Texas A&M University Institute of Biosciences and Technology, The Texas A&M University System Coastal Bend Health Education Center, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center South Texas Center for Rural Public Health, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Irma Rangel School of Pharmacy, and The Texas A&M University System--College of Dentistry.

C.S.H.B. 2630 repeals the following subchapters of the Education Code:

· Subchapters D, F, G, and H, Chapter 86

· Subchapter I, Chapter 87

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2630 omits a provision included in the original defining "coordinating board."

C.S.H.B. 2630 contains a provision not included in the original adding The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center South Texas Health Center to the component institutions, agencies, and programs under the management and control of the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System that compose The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center. The substitute omits a provision included in the original including among such component institutions other schools, colleges, institutions, and agencies assigned to the health science center, provided that those schools, colleges, institutions, and agencies may also be dissolved, merged, or eliminated in the same manner in which they were assigned.

C.S.H.B. 2630 contains a provision not included in the original authorizing The Texas A&M University Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry to use the name "Baylor" only under certain conditions.

C.S.H.B. 2630 contains provisions not included in the original establishing the venue for a suit filed against the health science center, any component institution, agency, or program of the health science center, or any officer or employee of the health science center; establishing that related provisions do not waive any defense to or immunity from suit or liability that may be asserted by an entity or individual described by such provisions; and establishing that in case of a conflict between the related provisions and any other law, the related provisions control.

C.S.H.B. 2630 omits provisions included in the original authorizing certain joint appointments; providing for the acquisition of goods or services by the method that provides the best value to the center or component institution; and authorizing the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System to solicit, accept, and administer certain gifts and grants.

C.S.H.B. 2630 omits provisions included in the original relating to the maintenance, scope, degree programs, rules, purpose, and agreements, as applicable, of The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Nursing, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center School of Graduate Studies, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Institute of Biosciences and Technology, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Coastal Bend Health Education Center, and The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Rural and Community Health Institute. The substitute omits provisions included in the original relating to the scope, degree programs, rules, and agreements of The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy.

C.S.H.B. 2630 omits a provision included in the original requiring the board of regents to adopt a transition plan and authorizing the board to transfer personnel, obligations, property, and money within the system. The substitute differs from the original in nonsubstantive ways by conforming to certain bill drafting conventions, including the addition of a saving provision, and making clarifying changes.