Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2146

Filed
 
Out of Senate Committee
4/16/09  
Voted on by Senate
4/24/09  
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the annual allocation of certain constitutional funds to eligible agencies and institutions of higher education.

Impact

The bill increases the annual amount of allocation significantly, from the previous figure of $175 million to $262.5 million for the respective fiscal years. This injection of funds is anticipated to help improve facilities, address infrastructure issues, and support the educational needs of diverse student populations across Texas. By establishing an equitable formula for the allocation of these funds, SB2146 endeavors to correct disparities that may have existed in previous funding structures.

Summary

SB2146 aims to modify the allocation of certain constitutional funds to eligible agencies, specifically targeting institutions of higher education in Texas. The bill amends the Education Code, particularly Sections 62.021 and 62.024, to establish a more structured and equitable distribution of funds based on several factors including space deficit, facilities condition, and institutional complexity. The aim is to enhance financial stability and ensure that the state's educational institutions can better manage their resources to meet growing demands.

Contention

One notable point of contention within discussions surrounding SB2146 could relate to the criteria established for fund allocation. While many stakeholders support the intent of increased funding, questions may arise regarding the specific metrics used to evaluate space needs and facility conditions. Institutions may lobby for adjustments in the formula to better reflect their individual circumstances and challenges. Additionally, the implementation timeline aligns with a period when many higher education institutions are seeking to recover from funding cutbacks, making the stakes particularly high.

Companion Bills

TX HB4535

Identical Relating to the annual allocation of certain constitutional funds to eligible agencies and institutions of higher education.

Previously Filed As

TX HB2639

Relating to the creation of a new university in Nacogdoches, Texas, within The University of Texas System and the allocation of the annual constitutional appropriation to certain agencies and institutions of higher education; abolishing Stephen F. Austin State University.

TX SB1055

Relating to the creation of a new university in Nacogdoches, Texas, within The University of Texas System and the allocation of the annual constitutional appropriation to certain agencies and institutions of higher education; abolishing Stephen F. Austin State University.

TX SJR81

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of funds to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System and certain component institutions of the Texas State University System and repealing the limitation on the allocation to the Texas State Technical College System and its campuses of the annual appropriation of certain constitutionally dedicated funding for public institutions of higher education.

TX HJR201

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the capital needs of career and technical education programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System, the Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College-Orange, and Lamar State College-Port Arthur.

TX SJR26

Proposing a constitutional amendment to entitle all component institutions of The Texas A&M University System and The University of Texas System to participate in the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund.

TX HJR189

Proposing a constitutional amendment reducing The University of Texas System's share of the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund, transferring to the national research university fund and general revenue fund a portion of the annual distribution made from the permanent university fund to the available university fund, appropriating the portion transferred to the national research university fund, and dedicating the portion transferred to the general revenue fund to provide for the support and maintenance of public institutions of higher education.

TX HB1595

Relating to the administration and investment of, and distribution and use of money from, certain constitutional and statutory funds to support general academic teaching institutions in achieving national prominence as major research universities and driving the state economy.

TX SB19

Relating to the administration and investment of, and distribution and use of money from, certain constitutional and statutory funds to support general academic teaching institutions in achieving national prominence as major research universities and driving the state economy; redesignating the national research university fund as the Texas University Fund.

TX HB8

Relating to public higher education, including the public junior college state finance program.

TX HJR3

Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.

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