Texas House Bill HB1774

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the enrollment required for the University of North Texas System to issue revenue bonds to fund facilities at the University of North Texas Dallas Campus.

Impact

The bill serves to align the funding mechanisms available to the University of North Texas Dallas Campus with its actual enrollment figures. By lowering the required enrollment for the issuance of revenue bonds, the bill aims to make it easier for the university to access necessary funding for facility improvements, potentially enhancing the academic infrastructure and overall student experience at this institution. This change may have broader implications for higher education funding strategies across Texas.

Summary

House Bill 1774 focuses on the requirements for the University of North Texas System to issue revenue bonds aimed at funding facilities specifically for the Dallas Campus. The bill stipulates that the system may not issue these bonds until the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board certifies that the enrollment at the campus has reached a minimum of 1,000 full-time students for one semester. This requirement is a change from the previous threshold of 1,500 students.

Contention

There might be discussions around the impact of this bill on state funding priorities and the potential implications for other universities facing similar challenges. Opponents may argue that lowering the enrollment threshold could set a precedent for other institutions, potentially diluting the standards for revenue bond issuance. Proponents, however, would likely contend that the adjustments are necessary to support and improve educational facilities at the Dallas Campus, responding to contemporary enrollment realities.