81R12219 KJM-D
By: Rose H.B. No. 4149
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board regarding achievable cost-saving measures at
public institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.0664 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.0664. STUDY OF ACHIEVABLE COST-SAVING MEASURES;
REPORT. (a) The board shall conduct a study to identify achievable
cost-saving measures in the operations of institutions of higher
education. The study must include examination of potential
cost-savings relating to the following aspects of institutional
operations:
(1) facility utilization, including scheduling
weekend and evening classes;
(2) staffing;
(3) the delivery of instruction and other educational
services, including through distance learning;
(4) management practices;
(5) efforts to promote timely graduation of students;
(6) energy use;
(7) purchasing; and
(8) facility construction, acquisition, and
maintenance.
(b) Not later than December 1, 2010, the board shall report
the results of the study required by Subsection (a) to the governor,
lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and
presiding officer for each legislative standing committee with
primary jurisdiction over higher education. The report must
include:
(1) the board's recommendations concerning
cost-saving measures that are achievable at institutions of higher
education; and
(2) an estimate of the amount of money that would be
saved during a five-year period through the implementation of each
recommendation.
(c) This section expires January 31, 2011.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.