BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 884

By: Zaffirini

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio currently operates a campus extension in the city of Laredo to provide health education, conduct research, and perform outreach in one of the most medically underserved communities in Texas. A recent review of the campus by The University of Texas System found that the campus may better accomplish its mission as a multi-institution center operated at the system level, hosting educational, clinical, and research-based programs. S.B. 884 seeks to implement the review findings by revising the statutory authority for the campus extension to reflect this change.

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. 884 amends the Education Code to revise statutory provisions relating to the establishment and operation of a campus extension of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in the city of Laredo to refer instead to the establishment and operation of a University of Texas System multi-institution center in the city of Laredo. The bill removes provisions requiring the system board of regents to assign management responsibility for the extension to The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and requiring operating costs to be paid from the operating funds of the health science center. The bill authorizes the system board instead to assign responsibility for management of the multi-institution center to a component institution of the system and requires the operating costs of the center to be paid from available funds from any public or private entity. The bill authorizes an amount appropriated from the permanent funds for health-related institutions established for the component institutions of The University of Texas System to be used to maintain, operate, and conduct health education programs and other related work at the multi-institution center.

S.B. 884 establishes that the primary purpose of the multi-institution center is to host educational activities, conduct and facilitate research, and engage in community outreach. The bill authorizes component institutions of the system to use the center in accordance with its primary purpose to provide undergraduate and graduate medical and dental education, including residency training programs, and other levels of health education work in collaboration with any public institution of higher education considered appropriate by the system board.

S.B. 884 repeals Section 74.705, Education Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.