(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 HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES "ONE FUND" BILL —At a late night hearing on Wednesday, April 23, the House Higher Education Committee voted unanimously to report HB 3526 by Peggy Hamric (R-Houston) which creates a single research excellence fund and corrects the inequities created in HB 1839 last session. The bill will now go to the full House for their consideration. Reps. Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria), Fred Brown (R-College Station), Norma Chavez (D-El Paso), Ken Mercer (R-San Antonio), Joe Nixon (R-Houston), and Tony Goolsby (R-Dallas) all voted in favor of the bill. There were no dissenting votes, but several members were absent.
Both the House Higher Education Committee and the Senate Education Committee have reported out tuition bills. HB 3015 by Rep. Geanie Morrison "deregulates" tuition in 2005-06 academic year, which means it allows the governing board to set tuition for all courses, and programs, including graduate and nonresident. It allows institutions to increase designated tuition by an additional $23 per semester credit hour in the two years preceding deregulation. It is scheduled to be debated early this week by the full House.
The Senate Finance Committee intends to report their version of the appropriations bill today and have the full Senate take it up on second reading on Tuesday, April 29. Unlike debate in the House, Senate debate typically takes only a few hours. The Speaker and Lieutenant Governor will probably appoint the conference committee for the appropriations bill late next week.
Two bills attempting to increase the number of public school teachers passed the house this week: HB 318 by Rep. Kent Grusendorf and HB 2723 change the requirements for eligibility for certification as teachers.
The House and Senate are now meeting on Fridays and may begin meeting on weekends because there are many important bills yet to be considered. In May, a number of end-of-session rules take effect addressing such issues as deadlines for the House to consider a Senate bill on second reading. Because of these rules, many committees are holding late night and early morning meetings and reporting and amending many, many bills.
"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