Texas House Bill HJR114

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to divert any net income attributable to newly discovered oil and gas or other mineral interests on permanent university fund land from the permanent university fund to fund capital projects at certain public universities and agencies of higher education that are currently ineligible for distributions from the permanent university fund.

Impact

If implemented, HJR114 would represent a significant shift in how revenues from state land are utilized, directly affecting financial flows to higher education institutions across Texas. By securing additional funding, public universities and affiliated agencies could potentially enhance their infrastructure, allowing for expansions, repairs, and the acquisition of necessary capital equipment. This amendment could help address disparities in funding among Texas universities and ensure that they have the resources to meet the evolving educational demands of the state.

Summary

HJR114 proposes a constitutional amendment aimed at reallocating any net income derived from newly discovered oil and gas or mineral interests on land associated with the permanent university fund. This measure seeks to divert such earnings away from the permanent university fund itself. Instead, the funds would be directed towards capital projects at public universities and agencies of higher education that currently do not benefit from distributions from the permanent university fund. This proposition addresses the need for additional funding sources for institutions of higher learning in Texas, particularly those that are ineligible for traditional funding streams.

Contention

Debates surrounding HJR114 are likely to arise from varying perspectives on educational funding and resource allocation. Proponents may argue that the reallocation of oil and gas revenues is a vital step towards ensuring equitable access to quality education across Texas. In contrast, opponents may express concerns about the sustainability of diverting funds away from the permanent university fund, fearing it might weaken the long-term financial stability of established university programs reliant on those traditional allocations. As such, discussions on the bill may reflect broader sentiments regarding the role of natural resource income in supporting public education efforts.