81R9091 KSD-D
By: Shapleigh S.B. No. 1564
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to Tier One Challenge funding to support the development
and enhancement of national research universities in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter FF to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER FF. TIER ONE CHALLENGE FUNDING
Sec. 61.9771. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Emerging research university" means an
institution of higher education designated as an emerging research
university under the board's accountability system.
(2) "Research university" means an institution of
higher education designated as a research university under the
board's accountability system.
Sec. 61.9772. PURPOSE. The purpose of this subchapter is to
provide funding for the enhancement of research universities and
for the development of emerging research universities.
Sec. 61.9773. ELIGIBILITY FOR FUNDING. (a) Except as
provided by Subsection (b), to be eligible to participate in the
funding under this subchapter, a research university or emerging
research university must:
(1) submit to the board, in the form and manner
prescribed by the board, a detailed, long-term strategic plan
documenting the strategy by which the institution intends to
achieve recognition as a research university, or enhance the
university's reputation as a research university, as applicable;
(2) receive board approval of the university's plan
under Subdivision (1); and
(3) meet any other criteria the board considers
appropriate, including consideration of:
(A) the amount of and any increase in externally
generated research funds received by the university, including
federal money, private gifts and donations, private endowment
earnings, and funds from any local or regional source; and
(B) the number of doctoral programs offered by
the university and any increase in that number.
(b) The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University,
and Prairie View A&M University are not eligible to receive funding
under this subchapter.
Sec. 61.9774. ALLOCATION OF FUNDING. (a) For each state
fiscal year, the board shall allocate any funds appropriated for
the purposes of this subchapter, and any other funds made available
for the purposes of this subchapter, to research universities and
emerging research universities that are eligible to participate in
the funding based on an equitable formula developed by the board to
further the purposes of this subchapter.
(b) The board shall review the equitable formula at the end
of each state fiscal biennium and may adjust the formula as the
board considers appropriate.
Sec. 61.9775. USE OF ALLOCATED AMOUNTS. An institution of
higher education may use money received under this subchapter only
for the purposes approved by the board to implement the strategic
plan submitted to the board under Section 61.9773.
Sec. 61.9776. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS OR GRANTS. The board may
accept gifts or grants from any public or private source for the
purposes of this subchapter.
Sec. 61.9777. ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT. (a) The board shall
require each institution of higher education receiving funds under
this subchapter in a state fiscal year to report to the board not
later than the October 1 immediately following that state fiscal
year the institution's progress toward implementing the
institution's strategic plan submitted under Section 61.9773.
(b) Not later than the following January 1, the board shall
prepare and submit to the presiding officer of each house of the
legislature a written report based on the information received by
the board under Subsection (a).
Sec. 61.9778. RULES. The board shall adopt rules for the
administration of this subchapter.
SECTION 2. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
shall adopt rules relating to the administration of Subchapter FF,
Chapter 61, Education Code, as added by this Act, as soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Act.
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.