BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2709

By: Frullo

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that statutory language requiring legislative approval for a sale of any part of the original main campus of Texas Tech University may represent an unnecessary restriction that is not in line with the authority of comparable institutions in Texas. H.B. 2709 seeks to address this issue by removing that restriction.

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. 2709 amends the Education Code to remove the prohibition against the board of regents of the Texas Tech University System selling any of the original main campus of Texas Tech University located in Lubbock, Lubbock County, unless the sale is approved by act of the legislature.

H.B. 2709 repeals Section 109.0541, Education Code, authorizing the board to execute a conveyance of real property that is part of the original main campus of Texas Tech University to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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