(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.)
The House of Representatives only met briefly today, May 6. Out of respect for Rep. Joe Moreno, who died in a car accident this morning, they conducted no business and adjourned until Monday, May 9. The Senate reconvened after 3 p.m.
While they were scheduled to take up higher education issues in the appropriations conference committee on Monday, May 2, no significant, substantive decisions have been made. Many moving parts will dictate the final appropriations levels, including several bills that are designed to free up additional revenue. It is rumored that the Senate will consider both the tax bill and the school finance bill on Monday, May 9.
Monday, May 9, is the last day for House committees to report house bills. If house bills have not been passed by midnight on Friday, they are dead. Resurrections occasionally occur in the form of amendments to other bills, however. Senate bills must be finally passed by the House by Wednesday, May 25.
Because so many deadlines are upon us, the pace will become frantic. We would encourage all of our reviewers to carefully analyze legislation that is moving in the final weeks.
Update on Selected Legislation:
HB 3001 by Morrison
Relating to the amount of the annual constitutional appropriation to certain agencies and institutions of higher education (HEF funding).
Passed the House (Amended to return to current levels of appropriation.)
SB 1228 by Shapiro
Relating to a statewide assessment and accountability system for public institutions of higher education.
Amended to effectively repeal tuition deregulation. Passed the Senate.
HB 776 by Howard
Relating to the Wharton County Junior College District service area.
Reported from House committee and recommended for the consent calendar.
HB 1172 by Fred Brown
Relating to the tuition charged a resident undergraduate student of institutions of higher education for excess credit hours and to related formula funding. Changes the current funding SCH cap from 45 hours above the degree requirements to 120 percent, and adds exceptions.
Passed the House.
SB 1529 by Zaffirini
Relating to policies and measures to promote timely graduation of students from public institutions of higher education. Changes the current funding SCH cap from 45 hours about the degree requirements to 30 hours; provides for “good cause” exceptions.
Passed the Senate.
HB 1330 by Chisum
Relating to the creation of a dispute resolution program for state building construction contracts.
Amended and set on the House calendar for 5/10/05
HB 1516 by Isett
Relating to the Department of Information Resources’ management of state electronic and telecommunications services.
Reported from House committee
HB 1940 by Ritter
Relating to alternative dispute resolution of certain contract claims against the state.
Set on the House calendar for 5/9/05
HB 1968 by Rose
Relating to student representative on the board of regents of each state university or system.
Amended to provide for a nonvoting member and reported from House committee.
HB 2192 by Wong
Relating to providing that the social security number of a living person is excepted from required disclosure under the public information law.
Considered in Senate committee.
HB 2525 by Callegari
Relating to contracts by governmental entities for construction projects and related professional services.
Amended and set on the House calendar for 5/9/05
SB 31 by Zaffirini
Relating to requiring students receiving certain financial aid at institutions of higher education to meet timely graduation and academic progress requirements. Amended to preclude students at private colleges to receive both a tuition equalization grant and a TEXAS grant; requires that students at private colleges meet the same standards for state financial aid as students at public institutions.
Passed the Senate.
SB 1226 by Shapiro
Relating to a study of the reporting requirements imposed on public institutions of higher education.
Passed the Senate.
SB 1528 by Zaffarini
Relating to the payment of tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education and the determination of Texas residency for that purpose.
Passed the Senate
SB 1716 by Van de Putte
Relating to the sale of instructional materials and other merchandise to students of institutions of higher education.
Amended and passed the Senate.
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