BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1788

By: Zaffirini

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) offers off-campus learning opportunities for students to advance their health education, including travel to its Laredo Regional Campus for supplemental coursework and clinical education in Webb County and the surrounding area. Despite authorization to use appropriated funds for certain travel costs in each session's General Appropriations Act, there have been calls to provide UT Health San Antonio a clear statutory authorization to use appropriated funds for this purpose. S.B. 1788 seeks to provide that authorization.

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

S.B. 1788 amends the Government Code to authorize funds appropriated for the education of university students at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio to be used to pay for costs associated with the educational programs for the campus's university-level students attending the Laredo Regional Campus and receiving clinical training in Webb County and the surrounding communities, including ground or air transportation, lodging, and related expenses.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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