Honorable Dan Branch, Chair, House Committee on Higher Education
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3624 by Hochberg (Relating to the eligibility of educational aides for tuition exemptions at public institutions of higher education.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3624, As Introduced: a positive impact of $25,291,022 through the biennium ending August 31, 2013.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2012
$12,645,511
2013
$12,645,511
2014
$12,645,511
2015
$12,645,511
2016
$12,645,511
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from Foundation School Fund 193
2012
$12,645,511
2013
$12,645,511
2014
$12,645,511
2015
$12,645,511
2016
$12,645,511
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would limit tuition exemptions for educational aides to be only for eligible educational aides enrolled in an institution of higher education granting exemptions in courses required for teacher certification in one or more subject areas experiencing a critical shortage of teachers as determined by the Texas Education Agency. The change in law made by the bill would be effective beginning with the 2011 fall semester. Funding for this program is provided from the Foundation School Fund, which is transferred from the Texas Education Agency to the Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Methodology
Based on information provided by the Higher Education Coordinating Board, 12% of all teacher certifications in Texas went to those in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. Applying the percentage difference, 88% percent to the fiscal year 2011 funding level for the program, $14,369,899, resulting a Foundation School Fund savings of $12,645,511.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
701 Central Education Agency, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 720 The University of Texas System Administration, 758 Texas State University System, 768 Texas Tech University System Administration, 769 University of North Texas System Administration, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board, 783 University of Houston System Administration