| TO: | Honorable Dan Branch, Chair, House Committee on Higher Education |
| FROM: | Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB173 by Alonzo (Relating to an optometry career program at the University of Houston.), As Introduced |
The bill amends the Education Code relating to an optometry career program at the University of Houston. Under provisions of the bill, the University of Houston may operate a summer program that prepares economically disadvantaged junior-level, senior-level, and post baccalaureate students from any public or private institution of higher education for advanced studies and a career in the field of optometry. Under provisions of the bill, the university may accept gifts and grants from any public or private source for this program and the legislature may appropriate funding for the purpose of this program.
Based on information provided by the University of Houston System, it was indicated that the University of Houston currently operates a career program similar to that outlined in the bill and most of the annual cost for the program is absorbed by the university. Should the state choose to provide general revenue for this program and based on information provided by the University of Houston System, it is estimated that it would be a cost to the state for direct and indirect costs of approximately $80,000 to $85,000 per fiscal year.
| Source Agencies: | 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board, 783 University of Houston System Administration
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| LBB Staff: | UP, KK, SK, EH
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