HBA-KDB H.B. 3607 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3607
By: Garcia
Higher Education
4/1/2001
Introduced

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, The University of Texas at Arlington, The University of Texas at
Dallas, and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
are under The University of Texas System (institutions).  The transfer of
these institutions into the University of North Texas System may enhance
and establish a unit of higher education that may be able to better serve
the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, which is one of the largest population
areas in the state.  Furthermore, if consolidated, the institutions may be
better able to attain potential funding from both state and federal
sources.  House Bill 3607 transfers the institutions from the University of
Texas System to The University of North Texas System. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 3607 amends the Education Code to require the board of regents
(board) of the University of North Texas (university) to maintain and
operate the university in a manner to ensure that the university achieves
the status of a nationally recognized doctoral and research university of
the highest category.  The bill requires the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board to consider the status of the university in reviewing
and approving the courses and programs at the university and preparing
funding formulas and recommending funding for the university. 

The bill sets forth provisions relating to other institutions in The
University of North Texas System (system) including the University of North
Texas at Arlington, the University of North Texas at Dallas, and the
University of North Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. 

The bill provides that the governance, operation, management, and control
of the institutions in the system, along with all right, title, and
interest in land, buildings, facilities, improvements, equipment, supplies,
and property comprising those institutions, are transferred to the board
from The University of North Texas System.  Such a transfer does not affect
the credit hours earned by the students at the institutions in the system
before the effective date of the Act or the employment status of the
administrative, faculty, or support staff of those institutions.  The bill
requires the board and the board of regents of The University of Texas
System to enter into a memorandum of understanding with one another to
implement the transfer of the institutions.  The institutions are no longer
entitled to participate in the funding provided by bonds or notes payable
from the university fund except that, unless other money is appropriated
for that  purpose, the board of regents of The University of Texas System
are required to pay the remaining principal of and interest on all bonds
and other obligations previously issued.   

The bill repeals provisions relating to The University of  Texas at
Arlington, The University of Texas at Dallas, and The University of Texas
Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.