Texas House Bill HB746

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/24/09
• Voted on by House: 5/12/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/25/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/27/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 5/31/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to expanding the availability of classrooms and other facilities for use by public junior colleges.

Impact

The implementation of HB 746 is expected to have a significant positive impact on public junior colleges by increasing resource efficiency and optimizing the use of existing educational infrastructure. By fostering a cooperative approach among institutions, the bill aims to not only enhance educational opportunities but also to reduce the overall costs associated with maintaining underutilized facilities. Additionally, this initiative aligns with broader efforts to improve educational accessibility and increase enrollment in higher education.

Summary

House Bill 746 aims to enhance the availability of classrooms and other facilities utilized by public junior colleges in Texas. It introduces a framework for public institutions of higher education to share their underused classroom spaces with other public junior colleges during specified times. By allowing these institutions to offer their facilities during evenings and weekends, the bill seeks to expand access to educational resources and bolster collaborative course offerings across colleges.

Contention

While the bill enjoys broad support, particularly among junior college administrators seeking greater access to classroom resources, there may be concerns related to scheduling conflicts and the financial implications of sharing spaces. The bill allows institutions to charge fees for the use of classroom facilities, raising questions about affordability and equitable access for all junior colleges. Furthermore, initial discussions may focus on the administrative burden of managing shared resources and ensuring that quality education is consistently delivered across participating institutions.