BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3197

By: Price

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Senator Teel Bivins, an Amarillo native, was elected to the Texas Senate in 1988, served five terms in the Texas Legislature, and was a highly regarded legislator throughout his tenure, receiving published accolades not only as a "Rookie of the Year" but also as one the best legislators in Texas in subsequent years. This well-respected senator's public service continued after he left the legislature when he was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Sweden by President George W. Bush. 

Although the senator attended Tulane University and Southern Methodist University Law School, he dedicated much legislative effort to fighting for the Texas Tech University System. Bivins was instrumental in bringing the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and the School of Pharmacy to Amarillo. As chair of the Senate Education Committee, he fought for all colleges and universities across Texas but held a particular interest for the Texas Tech University System within his district. In light of his many accomplishments at the Texas Legislature, his dedication to Senate District 31, and his devotion to the Texas Tech University System, naming the main administration building at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo after the late Senator Teel Bivins would be a well-deserved tribute. H.B. 3197 seeks to provide for this designation.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 3197 amends the Education Code to name the main administrative building on the campus of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo the Teel Bivins Building and to require the board of regents of the Texas Tech University System to ensure that the name change is implemented as soon as practicable following the bill's effective date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.