(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 the headlines lament the failure of the Texas Legislature to solve the public school finance and property tax issues, the largest perennial issue was successfully resolved: the $139.4 billion biennial all-funds budget was passed.
Before the bill may be sent to the Governor, who may line-item veto specific portions, it must be certified by the Comptroller.
We will post a comprehensive report after the veto period ends.
While we initially faced a 5 percent decrease, general revenue increased overall for public universities by 4.5 percent. UH System institutions received even greater amounts:
2006-07 Biennial General Revenue Increase
| UH | $18,252,688 | + 6.8% |
| UHCL | $ 3,685,194 | + 7.0% |
| UHD | $ 7,674,654 | +18.4% |
| UHV | $ 1,235,285 | + 5.4% |
| Total: | $30,601,205 | +7.9% |
The Legislature also restored (and increased) previously vetoed Tier One funding. The proper name for this fund is now the “Research Development Fund.”
Beginning in 2008, the Higher Education Fund, which is used for capital construction and renovation for universities that do not participate in the Permanent University Fund, will be increased by $87.5 million per year. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria) and Sen. Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock). It will result in substantial increases for each UH System university.
Higher Education Fund Allocations
| FY 06-07 | FY 08-09 | |
| UH | $23,517,427 | $35,276,140 |
| UHCL | $ 4,000,892 | $ 6,001,337 |
| UHD | $ 6,418,767 | $ 9,628,151 |
| UHV | $ 1,521,922 | $ 2,282,883 |
Legislation of Interest to Higher Education and the UH System
Of the 5,492 bills filed, we tracked 691. Approximately 1,600 have been finally passed and sent to the Governor. Of those, we tracked 129. Here are highlight of just a few of particular interest.
Bills Passed (Selected Legislation)
HB 1215 by Morrison (Sponsor: Armbrister)
Authorizes UHV to offer doctoral programs.
HB 776 by Howard (Sponsor: Armbrister)
Expands Wharton Community College’s service area to include Sugar Land.
HB 1172 by F. Brown (Sponsor: Zaffirini)
Revises state financial aid programs, including phase-out of TEXAS grants for private universities; lowers cap on undergraduate SCH cap, but expands the number of allowable exceptions; requires a new report on timely graduation.
HB1756 by Morrison (Sponsor: Shapiro)
Creates the emerging technology fund; funded in appropriations bill at $100 million.
HB 2481 by Bonnen
Relating to the Texas Emissions Control Plan; includes funding that will benefit UH
SB 30 by Zaffirini (Sponsor: F. Brown)
Provides for a pilot program involving contracts with students for timely graduation.
SB 34 by Zaffirini (Sponsor: Morrison)
Authorizes a nonvoting student regent (this provision is also contained in SB 1227, which passed); makes changes in the B-on-Time loan program.
SB 1528 by Zaffirini (Sponsor: Morrison)
Clarifies residency laws.
Bills that Failed to Pass (Selected Legislation)
HCR 73 by Hochberg
Authorized RealAmerica to sue the University of Houston
HB 591 by F. Brown
Would have required privatization of waste removal services.
HB 750 by Woolley
Amended the top ten percent rule.
HB 863 by Kolkhorst
Provided for significant increase in preference for hiring veterans
HB 1184 by Herrero
Required faculty to use the same textbook for at least three years.
HB 1278 by Hope
Required specific requirements for academic advisors
HB 2768 by Talton
Transferred the Chiropractic College to the University of Houston
HB 2488 by F. Brown
Placed restrictions on bookstore contracts
HB 2687 by Gallegos
One of many bills that repealed tuition deregulation
SB 1228 by Shapiro
Provided for an accountability system to be used in determining maximum tuition rates
SB 817 by West
Placed restrictions on marketing credit cards for students
Bills Passed Relating to Boards of Regents
SB 286 by Wentworth
Requires all state agency board members to receive training by the Attorney General relating to open meetings and open records; requires a two-hour course within 90 days of taking office.
SB 511 by Duell
Requires opportunities for public testimony at board meetings (conforms to current UH practices).
SB 690 by Zaffirini
Allows boards to recess until the following day without posting notice under certain circumstances.
All of us in the University of Houston System need to recognize those who have spent countless hours on our behalf for the last five months. Particular thanks need to be expressed to the legislative leadership and to our legislative delegation. All have been champions for the UH System and accessible and responsive to our requests.
The UH System Office of Governmental Relations also sincerely thank the members of the UH System Board of Regents, the four UH System university presidents, and particularly all of you who analyzed and provided data on legislation as it went through the process. Because of your time, attention and participation, the University of Houston System has achieved great success during this legislative session.
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