By: Rose, Branch (Senate Sponsor - Zaffirini) H.B. No. 4149
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 1, 2009;
May 6, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher
Education; May 14, 2009, reported adversely, with favorable
Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 4, Nays 0;
May 14, 2009, sent to printer.)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 4149 By: Zaffirini
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain studies and reports by the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board regarding achievable cost-saving
measures and the use and availability of electronic textbooks at
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 management and operation of
institutions of higher education.
(b) Not later than January 31, 2011, 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. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.0665 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.0665. STUDY ON USE AND AVAILABILITY OF ELECTRONIC
TEXTBOOKS. (a) The board shall conduct a study and recommend
policies regarding the use and availability of electronic textbooks
in higher education in this state and in other states. The study
and policy recommendations must include a specific focus on the
results of the pilot program implemented by The University of Texas
at Austin with respect to the use of electronic textbooks and must
address methods for encouraging the use of electronic textbooks at
public or private institutions of higher education in this state.
(b) Each student regent serving under Section 51.355 or
51.356 shall assist the board in performing the board's duties
under Subsection (a). The board shall establish procedures to
assist a student regent in complying with this subsection.
(c) The board may solicit and accept gifts and grants from
any public or private source to conduct the study and develop policy
recommendations under this section.
(d) Not later than December 1, 2010, the board shall make an
initial report and recommendations based on the study to the
governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of
representatives, and presiding officer of each legislative
standing committee with primary jurisdiction over higher
education. This subsection expires January 31, 2011.
SECTION 3. 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.
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