(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.)
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE VOTES TODAY ON HB 1 --The House Appropriations Committee completed their consideration of HB 1 last week and plans to take a final vote today after the Legislative Budget Board staff prints the document. As of now, they intend to debate the bill in the full House beginning on April 15. Unlike appropriations bills in recent sessions, it is likely to take several days to pass the bill. The Senate Finance Committee still has not set a date to mark-up the education article of the bill.
Among the bills to be heard today in the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee are SB 1630 by Sen. Bill Ratliff that authorizes retention of indirect cost overhead and SB 754 by Royce West that authorizes the creation of local taxing districts for institutions of higher education.
HOUSE COMMITTEE STUDIES INDIRECT COST RETENTION BILL --House Higher Education will also consider the indirect cost retention bill (HB 1887 by Rep. Geanie Morrison ) today, along with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board sunset bill (HB 2419 by Pete Gallego ) and Morrison’s tuition bill (HB 3015).
The Senate version of the Coordinating Board sunset bill was reported out of committee on last week. Sen. Kenneth Armbrister offered--and then withdrew after several objections by other committee members--an amendment to remove the board’s authority to review construction projects.
The House Governmental Reform committee continues to review all government functions and agencies. They will consider HB 3001 by David Swinford (on the reorganization and consolidation of state governmental functions and entities). Among other things, this bill requires the Coordinating Board to conduct a study of university system administration offices and consolidates the functions of the Department of Information resources into the State Building and Procurement Agency.
The Senate passed a bill last week restricting the Health Department from requiring licenses and inspecting youth camps associated with institutions of higher education.
"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