HBA-JRA, RBT H.B. 1346 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1346
By: Salinas
Ways & Means
7/22/1999
Enrolled


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

One of the most effective ways for counties to promote local economic
development is to make available to residents opportunities to obtain
higher education or advanced vocational training. Small rural counties have
traditionally had a difficult time attracting institutions of higher
learning, whether in the form of daytime extension facilities, actual
branch campuses, or vocational facilities. One of the biggest obstacles to
attracting an educational institution is the availability of buildings for
classroom space and administrative offices.   

H.B. 1346 makes it easier for counties with a population of 150,000 or less
to raise the necessary funds to build or renovate buildings in order to
make higher educational opportunities available to residents of the county.
This bill allows a county commissioners court to call, after a vote, a
maintenance and operation tax election without being petitioned by a local
steering committee to do so.  The voters then make the ultimate decision as
to whether the tax is approved.  This bill provides that if a tax is
approved by county voters, the funds generated by the tax can be used to
obtain real property and for construction or renovation of buildings which
would make available higher educational opportunities for residents subject
to the tax.   
 
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 130.087(b), Education Code, to authorize the
governing body of a county with a population of 150,000 or less, on
completion of a needs assessment analysis showing adequate need and on
approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, on its own
motion and without the presentation of a petition, to propose an election
to authorize a branch campus maintenance tax. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
            Effective date: upon passage.