(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.)
REGENTS CEMO, GONZALEZ, HERMES CONFIRMED —UH System Regents Mike Cemo, Raul Gonzalez and Leroy Hermes appeared before the Senate Nominations Committee last Monday, March 24, and were confirmed by the full Senate on Wednesday.
HOUSE WRAPPING UP CONSIDERATION OF HB 1 —The House Appropriations Committee is wrapping up consideration of HB 1 and still intends to consider the bill on the floor during the second week in April. The committee worked throughout the weekend on pending issues. The Senate Finance Committee has tentatively scheduled mark-up of higher education for tomorrow morning.
The Senate Government Organization Committee considered the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board sunset legislation last week and left it pending. The legislation essentially continues the life of the agency for 12 years with few significant changes. They do, however, recommend reducing the number of appointees to the Coordinating Board from 18 to 15, and require a common course numbering system for universities and community colleges.
Although they have been referring several hundreds bills a day all week, there are still hundreds of bills awaiting referral to committee in the House. The number of bills being scheduled for hearing is rapidly increasing. Pertinent bills posted for committee this week are listed here:
SB 26 by Zaffirini , requires the Coordinating Board to establish a pilot program on retention of high-risk students.
SB 111 by Barrientos , requires appointment of a voting student member on the UT board of regents.
SB 337 by Shapleigh , requires the Coordinating Board to post university performance data on the internet.
SB 503 by Ogden , requires institutions to post particular information on the internet
SB 1066 by West , requires institutions to publish plans to increase participation by HUBs.
HB 1824 by Hamric , requires institutions to reconcile under- and over-estimates of other educational and general funds in the appropriations bill.
HB 1890 by Morrison , refines the definition of "hours attempted" that may be calculated to determine if a student receives a tuition rebate.
HB 2004 by Marchant , authorizes governing boards to conduct closed sessions to consider certain contracts.
HJR 58 by Eissler , allows current and retired college professors to serve on local governmental entities.
HB 2667 by Hochberg , requires information on real property to be included in agency LARs.
For the first time this session, the House was in session last Friday, March 28. They spent the better part of the past two weeks in a highly charged debate on HB 4, which combines tort reform and medical malpractice legislation. The bill passed on second reading late last night.
"UH SYSTEM DAY IN AUSTIN" PHOTO GALLERY ONLINE—Visit the "UH System Day in Austin" Photo Gallery for a look at all the activities related to the visit by some 400 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to the state capitol building on February 18, including images of the bus trip, the pep rally at Sholz Garten, the visit to the Senate Chamber and legislators offices, and the evening reception for legislators.
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