BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1295

By: Creighton

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been calls to bolster funding to support comprehensive regional universities in Texas, which educate almost 40 percent of the state's university students and serve a growing population of at-risk students who often require additional academic support. S.B. 1295 creates an outcomes-based funding model focused on student success for providing funding to each institution of higher education that is designated as a doctoral, comprehensive, or master's university based on the number of degrees awarded to at‑risk students by each institution in the three preceding state fiscal years.

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. 1295 amends the Education Code to provide for the allocation of funding to each eligible institution of higher education designated as a doctoral, comprehensive, or master's university under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) accountability system. The bill establishes the purposes of its provisions and entitles an eligible institution to receive for each state fiscal biennium an amount equal to the sum of the following:

·         a base amount of $500,000 or a greater base amount provided by appropriation; and

·         the product of $1,000 or a greater amount provided by appropriation and the average number of at-risk students awarded a degree by the institution each year during the three state fiscal years preceding the biennium.

The bill authorizes an alternative allocation method for this funding to be provided by appropriation. The bill entitles an eligible institution to receive funding beginning with the first state fiscal biennium for which money is appropriated for the purpose of the bill's provisions.

S.B. 1295 requires the THECB, in consultation with a representative group of eligible institutions, to conduct a study on the funding method established by the bill to determine its effectiveness in allocating state funds fairly and equitably and in promoting student success at eligible institutions. The bill requires the THECB, not later than September 1, 2022, to submit to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board a report on the results of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other action. The bill's provisions relating to the study and report expire September 1, 2023.    

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.