STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

April 29, 2005

(This legislative update has been assembled by the UH System Office of Governmental Relations and edited by the UH Division of University Advancement as a service to the UH System community.)

---

WHILE LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY PICKS UP PACE,
FEW BILLS BEING SENT TO THE GOVERNOR

The deadline for passing house bills in the House is two weeks from today. Consequently, the legislative pace has become more frantic and tempers are beginning to flare. As of last week, only six bills had been sent to the Governor. Today the number has risen to 25, which is about half of the number for a typical session. Typically, the Governor will receive well over 1,000 bills before the session ends. With four full weeks left, there is much to be done. Lt. Gov. Dewhurst announced that the Senate will probably be in session next Saturday.

The Senate Finance Committee has cancelled a week-end meeting on the school finance-related tax bill. They will preempt Monday’s scheduled appropriations conference committee meeting on Article III (education). That is not surprising, because the education work group has yet to reach many decisions on higher education and cannot resolve public education until they determine changes to public school finance. The conference committee will probably work next weekend.

Other Legislation of Interest:

HB 3227 Swinford
Restricts the fleet vehicle plan to vehicles purchased with appropriated funds. Passed the House

HCR 73 Hochberg
Granting RealAmerica Partners permission to sue the UH System and the State. Pending in House committee

SB 31 Zaffirini
Requiring students receiving financial aid to meet certain graduation and academic progress requirements
Amended to prevent students at private colleges from receiving both a TEG and TEXAS grant; passed the Senate.

Bills posted for House Higher Education on May 2:

HB 1278 Hope
Relating to academic advisors at public institutions of higher education.

HJR 60 Rose / et al.
Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing a student member of the board of regents of a state institution of higher education or state university system to serve a term that differs from the terms served by the other members of the board.

HB 1968 Rose / et al.
Relating to student representation on the board of regents of each state university or state university system.

HB 3119 Giddings
Relating to the grade point average of and imposition of a fee on a student who repeats a course at a public institution of higher education.

HB 154 Brown, Fred
Relating to requiring institutions of higher education to report potential savings through contracting with local governments.

HB 1171 Brown, Fred
Relating to protecting students and employees at an institution of higher education from threatened acts of violence.

HB 2488 Brown, Fred
Relating to the sale of instructional materials and other merchandise to students of institutions of higher education.

HB 3074 Brown, Fred
Relating to the number of semester credit hours required for completion of a baccalaureate degree program at a general academic teaching institution.

HB 3075 Brown, Fred
Relating to the components of the core curriculum for public institutions of higher education.

SELECTED NEWS ARTICLES
ON HIGHER EDUCATION POSTED DAILY

Selected news articles from local, state, and national publications are being posted on the UH System Governmental Relations web page.

view the articles.

GUIDELINES FOR CONTACTING LEGISLATORS

It’s important that legislators hear from faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the UH System. But if you are a member of the faculty or staff (a state employee) wishing to contact your legislator, it’s equally important to follow certain guidelines when you write or fax letters.

Information on governmental relations policies

Find the names and addresses of Texas Senators and Representatives