(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.)
Late Thursday night, May 22, the Senate Finance Committee reported out HB 3526, which creates the single Research Development Fund. The vote was nine ayes and four nays. Eight affirmative votes are required to report a bill. Because the session is nearing a close, the bill still faces some serious obstacles, such as end-of-session deadlines, possible filibusters, short tempers, competing interests, among others.
Several so-called firm deadlines have come and gone and the conference committee on the appropriations bill has still not come to an agreement on three major issues: higher education, public education, and the CHIPS insurance program. Several top priorities for legislative leaders are still in abeyance: tort reform, insurance, and a number of revenue bills needed to balance the budget. While seemingly unrelated, all of these issues come into play in the give-and-take of budget negotiations.
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick met until 1:30 Saturday morning and appear to have come to an agreement. Their decisions have been made easier with the $1.3 billion infusion of federal money directed to Texas at the behest of U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison.
The House and Senate leaders are also still discussing how to address Tropical Storm Allison. The House has passed a bill authorizing tuition revenue bonds and provided some funding for bond repayments. The Senate has appropriated $25 million in HB 7, which is the bill providing for budget cuts for the current biennium. However, given the budget negotiations, the Senate may remove the $25 million and go along with the House method.
Earlier last week, the Senate Education Committee reported the tuition bill. Their version includes the following provisions:
The House version included a provision allowing boards to set all tuition in 2006.
The committee also reported out the bill authorizing 100 % retention of indirect costs on federal research. Sen. Florence Shapiro, Senate Education chair, announced that budget decisions could force changes in both bills when the full Senate considers each bill. If the conference committee decides to phase in indirect cost recovery (rather than move immediately to 100 % retention), the bill will be amended to reflect that decision. She also indicated that the new rates for designated tuition might be reduced, depending on the level of formula funding provided in the appropriations bill.
"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.
The House was scheduled to consider several sunset bills on Sunday, May 25, including the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Today, May 27, is the last day that the House may consider bills on second reading. Tomorrow, May 28, is the Senate's deadline for bills on second and third reading. Both houses, therefore, will be meeting late into the night (or early morning) as they approach the deadlines. There will be no Memorial Day holiday for the Texas Legislature.
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