Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Texas House Bill HJR115

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Sent toSOS
 
Proposed Const. Amend.
 

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to entitle the University of Houston to participate in the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund.

Impact

If enacted, HJR115 would substantially alter the financial landscape for the University of Houston, permitting it to issue bonds and notes equivalent to 10% of the cost value of its investments in the permanent university fund. This measure aims to support various projects including construction, major repairs, and acquisition of essential educational resources. This shift in funding structure could lead to enhanced operational capabilities and a broader scope for academic programs at the University of Houston, potentially elevating its status in the realm of public higher education in Texas.

Summary

HJR115 proposes a constitutional amendment that would enable the University of Houston to participate in the income and benefits from the permanent university fund. Historically, this fund has provided financial support primarily to institutions within the University of Texas System. By amending the Texas Constitution, the bill aims to rectify what proponents perceive as an inequitable distribution of funds among public universities in Texas, allowing the University of Houston similar financial opportunities to enhance its infrastructure and educational offerings.

Contention

However, the proposal has faced scrutiny and criticism. Opponents have raised concerns regarding the fairness and logic behind extending benefits to the University of Houston at a time when the existing funding mechanisms are already highly debated. Critics argue that the amendment could divert resources from established institutions and complicate the overall funding model for public universities in Texas. Additionally, there is apprehension about the long-term sustainability of funding if additional universities are included in the permanent university fund, which could lead to inequities among various educational institutions across the state.

Companion Bills

TX HB2755

Enabled by Relating to the higher education fund, the management of investments of the permanent university fund, and the allocation and distribution of certain constitutional revenues to the University of Houston.

Previously Filed As

TX SJR26

Proposing a constitutional amendment to entitle all component institutions of The Texas A&M University System and The University of Texas System to participate in the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund.

TX HJR189

Proposing a constitutional amendment reducing The University of Texas System's share of the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund, transferring to the national research university fund and general revenue fund a portion of the annual distribution made from the permanent university fund to the available university fund, appropriating the portion transferred to the national research university fund, and dedicating the portion transferred to the general revenue fund to provide for the support and maintenance of public institutions of higher education.

TX SJR81

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of funds to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System and certain component institutions of the Texas State University System and repealing the limitation on the allocation to the Texas State Technical College System and its campuses of the annual appropriation of certain constitutionally dedicated funding for public institutions of higher education.

TX SJR69

Proposing a constitutional amendment dedicating to the national research university fund a portion of certain income from the lease for oil and gas exploration of land dedicated to the permanent university fund.

TX SB1055

Relating to the creation of a new university in Nacogdoches, Texas, within The University of Texas System and the allocation of the annual constitutional appropriation to certain agencies and institutions of higher education; abolishing Stephen F. Austin State University.

TX HB2639

Relating to the creation of a new university in Nacogdoches, Texas, within The University of Texas System and the allocation of the annual constitutional appropriation to certain agencies and institutions of higher education; abolishing Stephen F. Austin State University.

TX SJR49

Proposing a constitutional amendment creating a university research fund to support emerging research universities in The University of Texas System or The Texas A&M University System and disqualifying all component institutions of those university systems from receiving money from the national research university fund.

TX HJR201

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the capital needs of career and technical education programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System, the Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College-Orange, and Lamar State College-Port Arthur.

TX SB19

Relating to the administration and investment of, and distribution and use of money from, certain constitutional and statutory funds to support general academic teaching institutions in achieving national prominence as major research universities and driving the state economy; redesignating the national research university fund as the Texas University Fund.

TX HJR3

Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.

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