87R1489 KEL-D By: Morales of Maverick H.B. No. 2491 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to creating Texas A&M University--Eagle Pass as a component institution of The Texas A&M University System. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 87, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter M to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER M. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY--EAGLE PASS Sec. 87.881. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Board" means the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System. (2) "University" means Texas A&M University--Eagle Pass. Sec. 87.882. ESTABLISHMENT; SCOPE. (a) Texas A&M University--Eagle Pass is a general academic teaching institution located in Maverick County. The university is a component institution of The Texas A&M University System and is under the governance, management, and control of the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System. (b) The board has the same powers and duties concerning Texas A&M University--Eagle Pass as are conferred on the board by statute concerning Texas A&M University. Sec. 87.883. COURSES AND DEGREES. (a) The board may prescribe courses leading to customary degrees offered at leading American universities and may award those degrees, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and their equivalents. (b) The board shall award degrees in the name of the university. (c) A department, school, or degree program may not be instituted without the prior approval of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Sec. 87.884. UNIVERSITY OF THE FIRST CLASS. The board shall make any other rules and regulations for the operation, control, and management of the university as may be necessary for the conduct of the university as a university of the first class. Sec. 87.885. FACILITIES. The board shall provide for adequate physical facilities for use by the university. Sec. 87.886. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The board may solicit, accept, and administer, on terms and conditions acceptable to the board, gifts, grants, or donations of any kind and from any source for use by the university. Sec. 87.887. AFFILIATION AGREEMENTS; JOINT APPOINTMENTS. (a) The board may execute and carry out with any entity or institution affiliation or coordinating agreements that are reasonably necessary or desirable for the conduct and operation of a university of the first class. (b) The board may make joint faculty appointments to positions in the university and to positions in other institutions under the board's governance. The salary of a person who receives a joint appointment shall be apportioned to the appointing institutions on the basis of services rendered. Sec. 87.888. PARTICIPATION IN PERMANENT UNIVERSITY FUND. If the Act enacting this subchapter receives a vote of two-thirds of the membership of each house of the legislature, the university is entitled to participate in the funding provided by Section 18, Article VII, Texas Constitution, to the same extent as similar component institutions of The Texas A&M University System. SECTION 2. 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, 2021.