TX
Texas Senate Bill SB19

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB19

Filed
3/10/23  
Out of Senate Committee
4/4/23  
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

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.

Impact

The proposed legislation is expected to positively transform the landscape of higher education funding in Texas. By establishing the Texas University Fund, the bill ensures that allocations are made in a manner that favors eligible institutions based on specific performance metrics, enhancing their research capabilities. Discussions among lawmakers highlight a consensus that sustainable funding is essential for driving innovation and maintaining competitiveness in higher education. However, there are concerns regarding the redistributive nature of the fund, which may disproportionately favor larger institutions at the expense of smaller ones.

Summary

Senate Bill 19, introduced by Senator Huffman, aims to reform the funding structure for higher education institutions in Texas by creating the Texas University Fund. This fund will replace the existing National Research University Fund and is designed to enhance the state's ability to fund its research institutions. The legislation outlines the administration, investment, and distribution of financial resources to support academic institutions striving for designation as major research universities. The goal is to ensure that these institutions have the necessary support to achieve national prominence, thereby fostering economic growth within the state.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding SB 19 appears to be largely positive among legislative supporters. Many acknowledge the importance of having a robust funding mechanism to elevate Texas institutions in the competitive higher education arena. However, there are notable points of contention, particularly regarding which institutions qualify for funding and how performance metrics might unintentionally skew benefits towards certain universities. Critics express the need for a more equitable approach to ensure that all institutions can thrive.

Contention

Key points of contention in the bill revolve around definitions of eligibility for funding and the distribution of financial resources. Some legislators argue that the criteria for qualifying institutions may create barriers for emerging universities, limiting their access to crucial funding needed to develop research capacity. Additionally, concerns have been raised about how readily available funds will be administered and whether there will be sufficient oversight to prevent disparities in funding between established and emerging institutions. The complexities involved in these decisions underscore the challenge of balancing support across various educational landscapes.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

  • Chapter 51. Provisions Generally Applicable To Higher Education
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: New Section
  • Chapter 62. Constitutional And Statutory Funds To Support Institutions Of Higher Education
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: 150
    • Section: 1481
    • Section: 1482
    • Section: 144
    • Section: 145
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: 1481
    • Section: 1482
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: 143
    • Section: 144
    • Section: 145
    • Section: 1481
    • Section: 1482

Latest SB19 Activity

Companion Bills

TX HB1595

Identical 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 SJR5

Enabling for 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

Enabling for 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.

Previously Filed As

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 SJR35

Proposing a constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund.

TX HJR139

Proposing a constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to 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 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 HB1000

Relating to the distribution of money appropriated from the national research university fund; making an appropriation.

TX SB1365

Relating to the distribution of money appropriated from the national research university fund.

TX HB2115

Relating to the distribution of money appropriated from the national research university fund.

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 SB1058

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

TX HB1000

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

TX HB1000

Relating to the distribution of money appropriated from the national research university fund; making an appropriation.

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 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.