HB+51+Texas+Legislature+81st+Session

__HB 51__ House Bill 51 is relating to funding and other measures to support emerging public research universities in developing and maintaining programs of the highest tier. [|Bill Text]

One of the first steps is to correctly define an "emerging research university". This clarifies which universities have the correct criteria and fall under the category to potentially be affected by this proposed bill. This also outlines the major and important changes in the proposed amendment to be added to the education code. 8. When awarding a matching grant to a university, the board may only provide state money to match money available to the university from a private or community source. This includes gifts or grants from other nontraditional or alternative sources. 9. Also, when the board is awarding a grant to the university it will consider, the commitment of the university to research education and also the amount of research funding the institution has received annually from full-time faculty. 10. The board will also consider the level of community support for the university's efforts to develop these programs.
 * __Outline of Bill:__**
 * 1) A university commonly defined as an institution of higher education.
 * 2) A university which has shown commitment to developing research programs and has efforts to improve its ranking among other universities.
 * 3) To enable emerging research universities to attract and retain the most capable students, faculty and researchers. To maintain a highly trained workforce and to obtain financial support for research and development. To also promote technology transfer and innovation in order to contribute to the state's competitiveness in the global economy. These programs should be comparable to those of the highest tier. The board shall administer a program to provide funding and other assistance to the emerging university.
 * 4) The board may award a grant to an emerging research university.
 * 5) To match money the university receives with a major research grant
 * 6) To match money the university commits to the recruitment of research and faculty staff who are of professional excellence.
 * 7) The board may award a matching grant to an emerging research university which supports any of the following:
 * merit-based scholarships, or other merit-based financial aid for undergraduate students
 * graduate student fellowships
 * faculty professorships and chairs
 * research support including acquisition and maintenance of research facilities, infrastructure and equipment

//Source: Texas Legislature Online//

__**Witnesses:**__ Many President's or Representatives from potential tier one universities participated as witnesses at the March 11th hearing including: --Renu Khator (University of Houston) link: [] --Guy Bailey (Texas Tech University) --Gretchen Bataille (University of North Texas) --John Frederick (UTSA) --Natalicio, Diana (The University of Texas at El Paso) --Spaniolo, James (UT Arlington)

House Bill 51 passed every stage with all votes in favor and no one speaking against it.
 * __ [|History:] __**

__**Other Information/Financial:**__ Tier one status is a great accomplishment and one of the highest recognitions a university can receive. The argument behind helping Texas obtain more tier one research universities is to keep up with the other large states such as California and New York which have 9 and 5 tier one status schools. However, as we all know this great status and accomplishment does not come free of charge. There would need to be a great deal of financial support for the state of Texas to come close and compete with the states of New York and California.

One of the most important questions and concerns emerging from this bill is the fiscal impact. Exactly how much is this going to affect the budget and the general revenue funds? The legislative budget board came together and formed a fiscal note relating to this bill. The details are in the following link: [] The fiscal impact would be broken down into three different administrative costs. For example, under the Research University Development fund, the board allocated $100 million to this fund for each fiscal year. Under the Texas Research Incentive Program, the state would match up to $47 mil per year that the university received in private gifts. Finally, the National Research University Benchmark Fund would allocate $100 mil to the universities who meet the criteria mentioned in the bill.

The bill’s main objective and purpose is to establish two funds and an incentive research program to help the developing research universities. The ultimate goal is for Texas to become competitive with larger states such as New York and California with public universities that are on the same tier status. There are countless benefits and advantages that this bill will bring to not only the universities, but also to the state of Texas itself. A strong research university of the top tier attracts more students, as well as professors and other highly trained staff. Together, the students and top faculty will be able to generate more jobs and draw in more state revenue.

For example, the University of Houston would create the following when ranked as tier one status: · 5,000+ new jobs · $129 million in wages to the regional economy · $7.5 million in additional state revenue · $202 million in local sales The University of Houston explains more [|Benefits] of becoming tier one status on its website.

Furthering education is generally a positive and great thing to do. However, it is clear that even when everyone agrees to pass a bill involving education there is still a great amount of work to be done and compromises that have to be made. The passing of this bill is only the beginning of the journey for emerging research universities. With more financial support and incentive programs, hopefully Texas will become just as competitive as New York and California in university research and have endless opportunities.

HB 51 was passed with a vote of 137-0 in the House and 31-0 in the Senate. It will be signed and take effect on September 1, 2009.