(This legislative update is produced by the UH System Office of Governmental Relations and the UH Division of University Advancement as a service to the UH System community, our alumni, and our friends.)
SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE HEARS TESTIMONY--The Senate Finance Committee has concluded major testimony on all state agency budgets after spending last week on higher education institutions. On Wednesday, Chancellor/President Arthur K. Smith and Presidents Max Castillo, Karen Hayes, and Bill Staples presented testimony and answered questions of the committee. UH System Board of Regents Chair Gene McDavid made brief remarks and announced the presence of Regents Mike Cemo, Theresa Chang, Leroy Hermes and Morgan O'Connor at the hearing.
Mark-up by the full House Appropriations Committee is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, March 11. House leadership plan to bring the bill to the full House on April 8.
HOUSE AND SENATE STUDYING WHETHER CURRENT BUDGET REDUCTION WILL BE SUFFICIENT--With Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn's announcement that sales tax revenues are down by 4.7 percent, both House and Senate committees are trying to determine if the current 12.5 percent reductions will be sufficient to meet declining revenues.
The pace for introduction of bills has increased as expected. We have added over 100 bills since last week's report, with the filing deadline one week away.
Recent Filings of Interest:
SB 904 by Lindsay authorizes the governor to designate the presiding officer of each state agency and institution.
HB 1888 by Morrison requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish a pilot project allowing 3 to 5 junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees in applied science.
HB 1887 by Morrison authorizes retention of indirect costs by universities.
HB 1824 by Hamric requires institutions to refund general revenue if they underestimate the amount of educational and general income.
Upcoming Hearings:
On Monday, March 11, Senate Education will hear SB 28 by Zaffirini relating to bacterial meningitis records and SB 253 by Staples relating to youth camp safety. House State Affairs will consider HB 1191 by Allen relating to confidentiality of information for emergency response purposes and HB 908 by Gallego prohibiting certain foreign corporations from participating in state contracts. Among other bills, House Higher Education will consider HB 91 by McClendon that requires acceptance of certain junior college transfer students and HB 1026 by Hupp, which restricts the use of social security numbers.
WATCH HOUSE, SENATE PROCEEDINGS ONLINE—Now you can watch the legislative sessions and committee meetings on line. Click on any of these links for live audio and video images…
Live broadcasts from House chamber and from committee rooms
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/house/broadcast.htm
Live broadcasts from Senate chamber and from committee rooms