BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 286
85R4195 KJE-D	By: Nichols
	Higher Education
	2/17/2017
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

As proposed, S.B. 286 would allow Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) to increase the number of members on their governing board to eleven.

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Specific problem being addressed:

 

TVCC currently services five counties including Anderson, Henderson, Kaufman, Rains, and Van Zandt, which cover 3,963 square miles, with a population of 303,833.

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TVCC has seen much growth in their represented areas due to annexations. As other independent school districts join TVCC's tax paying district they will be entitled to representation on the governing board. Currently, they would not have representation as there is a max on the number of board members.

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By providing greater representation for more of the district's residents, it will also provide possibilities for additional educational opportunities for TVCC service area residents. It will also encourage annexation of school districts not currently in the district, which would allow those school districts to take advantage of much lower in-district tuition and fee rates.

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Current law:

 

Current law allows for there to be nine members on the governing board for Trinity Valley Community College.

 

Who may support or oppose legislation:

 

This legislation will be supported by the additional school districts, service areas, and residents who will be able to have representation on the TVCC governing board.

 

As proposed, S.B. 286 amends current law relating to the governing board of the Trinity Valley Community College District.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 130, Education Code, by adding Section 130.0828, as follows:

 

Sec. 130.0828. GOVERNING BOARD OF TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT. (a) Authorizes the governing board of the Trinity Valley Community College District by resolution or order of the governing board to, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, increase the number of board members to 11.

 

(b) Requires that a resolution or order of the governing board establish transition terms of office to conform to elections held in even-numbered years and staggered six-year terms and requires the initial board members to draw lots to determine members' terms and establish the length of initial terms.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.