TX
Texas Senate Bill SB9

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB9

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

Caption

Relating to financial support and incentives for the development of national research universities and high-quality comprehensive regional universities and a review of the institutional groupings under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's accountability system.

Impact

The bill introduces a new funding structure framework in Chapter 61 of the Education Code, particularly establishing the Texas Competitive Knowledge Funding program. This program is designed to provide financial resources to encourage the recruitment and retention of highly qualified faculty and enhance research productivity. Eligible institutions are those recognized as research or emerging research universities, and funding will be determined based on several factors, including historical research expenditures and degree completions in critical fields. This could significantly impact the operational strategies of participating universities and their research capabilities.

Summary

SB9 is a significant piece of legislation aimed at enhancing financial support and incentives for the development of national research universities and high-quality comprehensive regional universities in Texas. The bill mandates a review of institutional groupings under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's accountability system at least once every ten years, which could affect how institutions are classified and their access to resources based on performance metrics. This aligns with the state’s ongoing commitment to drive higher educational standards and address the needs of diverse student populations.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding SB9 may include concerns about equitable funding distribution, as some may argue that this structured funding model may favor larger, more established institutions over smaller colleges or those newer to research initiatives. Additionally, there may be resistance from institutions worried they will not meet the specified criteria for funding or face challenges as the accountability system undergoes periodic revisions. Legislative discussions could reveal differing priorities on how best to allocate resources in order to meet the needs of all Texas students and institutions.

Companion Bills

TX HB4616

Identical Relating to financial support and incentives for the development of national research universities and high-quality comprehensive regional universities and a review of the institutional groupings under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's accountability system.

Previously Filed As

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 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 SJR49

Proposing a constitutional amendment creating a university research fund to support emerging research universities in The University of Texas System or The Texas A&M University System and disqualifying all component institutions of those university systems from receiving money from the national research university fund.

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.

TX SJR5

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.

TX SB1058

Relating to the university research fund and eligibility to receive money from the national research university fund.

TX HB4678

Relating to establishing a social work recruitment and retention program administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

TX SB1796

Relating to establishing a social work recruitment and retention program administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

TX HB8

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

TX SB18

Relating to the tenure and employment of faculty members at certain public institutions of higher education.

Similar Bills

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 HB51

Relating to measures to enhance and maintain the quality of state universities, including funding and incentives to support emerging public research universities, to the abolition of the higher education fund, to the institutional groupings under the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's accountability system, to the independent status of Lamar Institute of Technology, to research conducted by public universities and other state entities, and to the authorization of revenue bonds for certain institutions of higher education.

TX SB1058

Relating to the university research fund and eligibility to receive money from the national research university fund.

TX SB1560

Relating to university funding, including university funding for excellence, the national research university fund, the abolition of the higher education fund, and the institutional groupings established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

TX HB1000

Relating to state support for general academic teaching institutions in this state.