BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1242

By: Birdwell

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In 2013, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) underwent review by the Sunset Advisory Commission. The bill sponsor has informed the committee that during the course of that review cycle, the Texas Legislature enacted legislation that removed the THECB's duty to approve capital projects for public higher education institutions, but that, due to an oversight, the legislation did not remove the duty of the board of regents of the Texas State Technical College System to approve such projects. S.B. 1242 seeks to correct this oversight.

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. 1242 amends the Education Code to remove the condition that triggers the requirement for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to review and approve the acceptance or acquisition of any land and facilities purchased in the name of the State of Texas by the board of regents of the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) System in any of the counties in which a TSTC System campus or extension center is located. Accordingly, the bill removes the provision requiring such a review when the board of regents requests to place the applicable land and facilities on its educational and general buildings and facilities inventory and the combined value of the land and facilities is more than $300,000 at the time the board of regents requests the property to be added to that inventory.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.