HBA-MPM, MPM H.B. 3319 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3319
By: Cuellar
Higher Education
6/7/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 76th Legislative Session, state law delegated to governing
boards (boards) of public general academic institutions, health-related
institutions, and technical colleges the authority to construct educational
and general space costing less than $300,000 and to undertake repair and
renovation of these spaces when the cost is less than $600,000 without the
oversight of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (coordinating
board).  Since these thresholds were amended in 1989, inflation has caused
more projects exceeding these caps to come before the board.  H.B. 3319
authorizes the boards to undertake, without coordinating board oversight,
projects involving new construction for which the total cost will be less
than $1 million, or $2 million for repair and renovation projects. 

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 Subsection (a), Section 61.058, Education Code, to
increase the threshold at which construction projects are required to be
approved or disapproved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
(board) to $2,000,000, rather than $600,000, in the provision requiring the
board's consideration and determination to be limited to the purpose for
which the new or remodeled buildings are to be used to assure conformity
with approved space utilization standards and the institution's approved
programs and role and mission.  Makes the requirement of the board's
approval for new construction applicable only to projects for which the
total cost is in excess of $1,000,000, rather than $300,000.  Makes
conforming changes.  

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