Bill Text: TX SB1295 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: Relating to financial support and incentives for comprehensive regional universities.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 30-16)

Status: (Passed) 2021-05-30 - Effective on 9/1/21 [SB1295 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SB1295-Comm_Sub.html

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By: Creighton, et al. S.B. No. 1295
(Morrison)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to financial support and incentives for comprehensive
regional universities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 62.003(1), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(1) Except as otherwise provided by Subchapters C, D,
E, F, [and] G, and I, "eligible institution" means the eligible
agencies and institutions of higher education listed in Article
VII, Section 17(b), of the Constitution of Texas, and any
institution or agency of higher education that is later made
eligible to participate in the disbursement of funds pursuant to
Article VII, Section 17(c), of the Constitution of Texas.
SECTION 2. Chapter 62, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter I to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER I. COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL UNIVERSITY FUNDING
Sec. 62.181. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "At-risk student" means an undergraduate student
of an eligible institution:
(A) whose score on the SAT or ACT assessment test
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.
(2) "Eligible institution" means an institution of
higher education designated as a comprehensive university,
doctoral university, or master's university under the coordinating
board's accountability system.
Sec. 62.182. PURPOSE. The purpose of this subchapter is to
provide funding to each eligible institution to support the
institution in serving at-risk students, helping meet the state's
workforce needs, and enhancing the institution's regional economy.
Sec. 62.183. FUNDING. (a) Subject to Subsection (b), for
each state fiscal biennium, an eligible institution is entitled to
receive an amount equal to the sum of:
(1) a base amount of $500,000 or a greater base amount
provided by appropriation; and
(2) the product of $1,000 or a greater amount provided
by appropriation and the average number of at-risk students awarded
a degree by the institution each year during the three state fiscal
years preceding the biennium.
(b) An alternative method of allocating funding under this
section may be provided by appropriation.
Sec. 62.184. STUDY AND REPORT. (a) The coordinating board,
in consultation with a representative group of eligible
institutions, shall conduct a study on the method of funding
provided under Section 62.183 to determine that method's
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
report on the results of the study and any recommendations for
legislative or other action.
(c) This section expires September 1, 2023.
SECTION 3. An eligible institution is entitled to receive
funding under Section 62.183, Education Code, as added by this Act,
beginning with the first state fiscal biennium for which money is
appropriated for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.