Honorable Kel Seliger, Chair, Senate Committee on Higher Education
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1887 by Muñoz, Jr. (Relating to the establishment of a regional center for public safety excellence in the Rio Grande Valley.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would establish a regional center for public safety excellence in the Rio Grande Valley. The bill would require South Texas College to administer the regional center in partnership with political subdivisions and participating school districts in the Rio Grande Valley and provides that the headquarters of the regional center would be located at South Texas College.
The bill would require the program or course curriculum at the regional center to satisfy requirements imposed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement for the regional center to operate as a commission-approved training provider. The bill would allow the regional center to solicit and accept gifts and grants from any public or private source and would allow the legislature to appropriate funds for the regional center.
It is assumed that there would be a cost to General Revenue from an estimated increase in formula funding for South Texas College due to additional students enrolled in the regional center generating additional contact hours and success points for formula funding. This cost would not be seen until fiscal year 2018, as formula funding is provided to institutions based on student data prior to the biennium to be funded. However, based on information provided by South Texas College, this analysis assumes the increase in formula funding for the additional students enrolling in classes at the regional center would not be significant.
Local Government Impact
Based on information provided by South Texas College, the institution would require additional funding to implement the provisions of the bill, including funding for construction of new infrastructure and facilities, specialized equipment, additional faculty and personnel, and additional supplies and materials. According to South Texas College, the institution assumes any costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill would be paid out of institutional bond proceeds, tuition and fees, and local property tax revenue.
Source Agencies:
407 Commission on Law Enforcement, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board