(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 BILL COMBINING TEXAS EXCELLENCE FUND AND UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FUND -- At the end of its session on Friday, May 9 (after midnight, early Saturday morning, May 10), the House took up HB 3526 on second reading. HB 3526 by Rep. Peggy Hamric (R-Houston) combines the Texas Excellence Fund and the University Research Fund into a single fund with a standard set of criteria for the distribution of resources. The bill was passed on second reading without dissent. On Saturday, May 10, the bill was taken up on third reading for final passage. This time, however, serious debate ensued, with challenges raised by San Antonio, El Paso and Dallas-Fort Worth legislators who were concerned that their regional institutions would suffer under the bill. Ultimately, the bill was passed by a vote of 66 ayes and 58 nays. It has now been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
The passage of HB 3526 was well timed, as it preceded by a day the Democrats' quorum-breaking trip to Ardmore, Oklahoma, which brought the House to a standstill until Friday, May 16.
Last week, we had anticipated the Appropriations Conference Committee might take up higher education. This has yet to occur. Work groups, however, have been meeting in private and some progress has been made.
In the Senate, SB 1370 by Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock) was passed on third reading and final passage on Thursday, May 15. The bill, whose companion has already passed in the House, changes the insurance benefits of state employees in the following ways: 1) Future TRS and ORP retirees must be 65 (rather than 55) years old and have 10 years of service to qualify for insurance, or they can qualify under the Rule of 80 (age plus years of service = 80); 2) Health insurance is provided for TAs, etc., on a part-time basis; and 3) A 90-day waiting period is implemented before new employees would be eligible for insurance benefits. This legislation is one of several cost-saving measures need to balance the appropriations bill.
The Senate Education Committee was scheduled to consider two bills of particular interest. One, HB 1887, which provides for the retention of indirect cost funds, was not heard on Thursday, May 15. It was "tagged." Senate rules allow a member to require a 48-hour posting before a bill can be heard. It is a method used late in the session to delay and/or kill bills. HB 1887 has now been posted for Tuesday, May 20. The other bill, HB 318, provides that persons holding bachelor's degrees may be certified as teachers. Sen. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano), the senate sponsor of the bill and chair of the committee, was not pleased with criticism of the bill voiced by people testifying. She has prepared a committee substitute that limits the bill to teachers for grades 8 through 12; provides that such teachers serve for a probationary at-will period and must pass appropriate examinations; and limits the curriculum areas in which they may be certified. The bill was left pending.
"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