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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a feasibility study regarding establishing a four-year |
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institution of higher education in the Texas-Mexico border region. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 61.06696 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 61.06696. STUDY REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF FOUR-YEAR |
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INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN TEXAS-MEXICO BORDER REGION. (a) |
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The board shall conduct a study to examine the need for and |
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feasibility of establishing a four-year institution of higher |
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education in the Texas-Mexico border region served by Sul Ross |
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State University Rio Grande College. |
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(b) The study must identify and examine: |
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(1) the impact of Sul Ross State University Rio Grande |
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College on the region, including; |
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(A) the number of students served by Sul Ross |
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State University Rio Grande College; and |
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(B) the graduation rates of students served by |
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Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College; |
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(2) the challenges related to the distance between the |
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campuses of Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College and Sul |
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Ross State University; |
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(3) the gaps in educational opportunities that exist |
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for students in the region and the effect of those gaps on local |
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employers; and |
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(4) the feasibility of establishing an institution |
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described by Subsection (a) in the city of Eagle Pass. |
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(c) The board shall prepare a written report that: |
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(1) identifies the challenges related to establishing |
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a new institution of higher education in the region; |
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(2) includes recommendations for legislative or other |
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action; and |
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(3) includes any other matter the board considers |
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appropriate. |
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(d) Not later than December 1, 2022, the board shall submit |
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the written report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the |
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speaker of the house of representatives, and the chair of each |
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standing committee of the legislature with jurisdiction over higher |
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education. |
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(e) This section expires September 1, 2023. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |