BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1401

By: Howard

Appropriations

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the current dedication of funds from the permanent fund for higher education nursing, allied health, and other health-related programs to nursing education programs is set to expire soon. H.B. 1401 seeks to continue this dedication to support nursing education.

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. 1401 amends the Education Code to extend the period for the award of grants from the permanent fund for higher education nursing, allied health, and other health-related programs to programs preparing students for initial licensure as registered nurses or programs preparing qualified faculty members with a master's or doctoral degree for the program to include the 2020-2021 state fiscal biennium and the 2022-2023 state fiscal biennium. The bill postpones the expiration date of the statutory provision relating to such grants from September 1, 2019, to September 1, 2023.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.