(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.)
We had anticipated that at least some of the issues impacting higher education would have been resolved during the first special session, which ended earlier this week. However, only one bill was finally passed during the first special session, and it related to a fund dealing with the disposal of hazardous wastes.
Several unresolved issues affecting higher education may yet be considered in the second special session. One will clarify a provision in the appropriations bill allowing the Governor to spend vetoed funds. This is a new rider that gives the Governor new authority to work with the Legislative Budget Board to allocate funds. There is a similar provision in current law called “budget execution” that allows the Governor and LBB to reallocate appropriated dollars in the case of an emergency.
Yet another failed bill from the first special session contained provisions amending a bill passed during the regular session that pertained to insurance benefits for retirees. Under SB 1370, which went into effect on June 1, annuitants who retire after August 31, 2003 must be 65 years of age or have met the “rule of 80” (a combination of years of service and age) in order to receive health insurance benefits. Prior to June 1, retirees must have been at least 55 years of age to qualify. Legislation filed in both called sessions would allow current employees who retire after August 31 to receive health insurance by paying the full cost until they reach 65.
Also of interest, the legislature again failed to pass a government reorganization bill that included a provision to allow the Governor to appoint the presiding officers of governing boards. Such legislation has been filed again.
Last week, Rep. Garnet Coleman introduced legislation to re-appropriate the research funds that were vetoed by the Governor. He has not yet filed a bill for the current special session.
Lt. Gov. Davis Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick have both made appointments to the Select Committee on Higher Education that was created in HB 3015 (tuition deregulation). The committee will study the “organization, operations and funding” of higher education. The Speaker appointed Reps. Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria), Tony Goolsby (R-Dallas), Fred Brown (R-College Station), Roberto Gutierrez (D-McAllen), Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Sylvester Turner (D-Houston). The Senate appointees are Sens. Florence Shapiro (R-Plano), Kip Averitt (R-Waco), Kyle Janek (R-Houston), Royce West (D-Dallas) and Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo). The Governor will appoint four members of the public.