Texas House Bill HJR137

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to specify the manner in which certain amounts distributed from the permanent university fund to the available university fund are allocated or used.

Impact

The modification to the Texas Constitution, as proposed in HJR137, would give the Legislature greater control over the distribution and usage of funds intended for higher education within the state. This could lead to increased appropriations for specific programs or initiatives deemed necessary by the state, enhancing legislative oversight of university funding. Such changes could also impact the financial management of the universities involved, potentially altering how they plan and execute their budgets based on legislative guidance.

Summary

HJR137 is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the Texas Legislature to specify how certain amounts distributed from the Permanent University Fund (PUF) to the Available University Fund (AUF) are allocated or used. This amendment would apply specifically to annual distributions available for appropriation by the governing boards of The University of Texas System and The Texas A&M University System, with certain exceptions outlined in the bill. The purpose of this amendment is to potentially allow for more flexible and directed uses of funding by these institutions, in accordance with legislative goals.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding HJR137 may stem from concerns regarding the extent of legislative power over educational funding. Critics might argue that such control could limit the autonomy of university boards to make decisions that best suit their institutions' unique needs. The balance of power between state oversight and institutional independence in managing their resources is likely to be a focal point in discussions surrounding this resolution. Additionally, stakeholders may debate the effectiveness of injecting legislative priorities into university funding decisions, considering the long-term implications for the state's educational landscape.