(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.)
HOUSE PASSES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, ANALYSIS SHOWS IMPACT ON UH SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS —After three very long days and nights of debate, the House passed the Appropriations Bill to Third Reading shortly after midnight Thursday, April 17, by a vote of 98 to 46. Final approval was achieved shortly thereafter by a final vote of 100 to 45. Almost 500 amendments were filed on the bill and virtually all were defeated by a substantial.
Under the House version, the University of Houston main campus biennial appropriation, compared to the previous biennium, is modestly increased by $2.8 million (0.8 %), the University of Houston-Clear Lake appropriation is reduced by $2.3 million (-3.1 %), the University of Houston-Downtown appropriation is increased by $3.6 million (+6 %) and the University of Houston-Victoria appropriation is increased by $1.8 million (+7.9 %).
These numbers include all funds (tuition and state general revenue), but the formulas do not reflect our substantial enrollment growth. They also do not include funding for tuition revenue bonds issued since last session. An analysis of just net general revenue appropriations shows a dramatically different impact: UH is reduced by $15 million (-5.8 %), UHCL is reduced $3.4 million (-6.5 %), UHD is reduced $3.7 million (-9 %) and UHV increased $500,000d (+2.5 %).
The Senate Finance Committee has completed mark-up on their version of the bill. The full Senate plans to debate the bill on the floor in two weeks. It will then be sent to a conference committee comprised of five senators and five representatives.
The House also passed HB 7, which reduces appropriations for the current fiscal year.
With the long hours on the appropriations bill, very few committee meetings were held in the House last week. During a short meeting on Wednesday, April 16, at 7:30 a.m., the Higher Education Committee voted to report HB 3350 by Rep. John Davis , authorizing tuition revenue bonds for UH for Tropical Storm Allison recovery.
Rumors have been circulating that graduate students were about to lose health insurance coverage. While the Employees Retirement System did adopt coverage changes on April 17, graduate student status was not changed. Like all other state agencies and institutions, ERS appropriations have been reduced for the current year.
Both the Senate and the House have adjourned until Tuesday, April 22, for the Easter break.
RECENT ACTION ON LEGISLATION OF INTEREST —HB 1887 by Rep. Geanie Morrison , which authorizes 100 % retention of indirect cost, is set on tomorrow’s House calendar. A slightly different bill by Sen. Bill Ratliff (SB 1630) was reported from the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee last week.
SB 1542 by Sen. Florence Shapiro , which requires universities to increase statutory tuition to $52 in 2003-2004 and $56 in 2004-2005, was heard and reported from Senate Education. The various boards of regents would have the option of increasing designated tuition by $8 next year over current rates and an additional $4 the following year.
HB 318 by Rep. Kent Grusendorf , which alters the teachers’ certification process, is set on Wednesday’s House calendar.
SB 833 by Sen. Tommy Williams , which includes alumni and other university organizations in the Charitable Immunity and Liability Act, passed the Senate.
"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