By: Morrison H.B. No. 3175
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to state support for comprehensive regional universities
in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 62, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter I to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER I. COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL UNIVERSITY FUNDING
Sec. 62.171. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "At-risk student" means an undergraduate student
of an eligible institution:
(A) whose score on the Scholastic Assessment Test
(SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) is less than the national
mean score of students' scores on that test; or
(B) who has previously received a grant under the
federal Pell Grant program or met the Expected Family
Contribution(EFC) criterion for a grant under that program.
(2) "Comprehensive regional university" means an
institution of higher education that is designated as a doctoral,
comprehensive, or master's university under the coordinating
board's accountability system.
(3) "Eligible institution" means a comprehensive
regional university.
Sec. 62.172. PURPOSE. The purpose of this subchapter is to
provide funding to each comprehensive regional university to
support their mission to serve at-risk students, help meet the
state's workforce needs, and enhance their regional economies.
Sec. 62.173. FUNDING. (a) In each state fiscal year,
amounts shall be appropriated for purposes of this subchapter to
eligible institutions as follows:
(1) a base amount of $500,000 or a greater amount
provided by appropriation to each eligible institution; and
(2) $1,000 or a greater amount provided by
appropriation for each degree awarded to an at-risk student by an
eligible institution.
(b) The number of degrees awarded under Subsection (a)(2) is
determined by using the average number of degrees awarded to
at-risk students annually by each institution in the three
preceding state fiscal years.
(c) An alternative allocation method for this funding may be
provided by appropriation.
Sec. 62.174. STUDY AND REPORT. (a) The coordinating board
in consultation with a representative group of eligible
institutions shall conduct a study of the funding methodology
established under Section 62.173 to determine its effectiveness in:
(1) allocating state funds fairly and equitably; and
(2) promoting student success at eligible
institutions.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2022, the coordinating board
shall submit to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board a
written report that includes the study's findings and any
recommendations for legislative or other action.
(c) This section expires September 1, 2023.
SECTION 2. (a) The funding for this Act for the state fiscal
years ending in 2022 and 2023 is contingent on the legislature
providing a specific appropriation for the implementation of this
Act in the general appropriations act of the 87th legislature.
(b) This Act takes effect immediately if this Act receives
the votes 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, those
sections take effect September 1, 2021.