HBA-LJP H.B. 3699 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3699
By: Ritter
Higher Education
77/19/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Constitution sets forth the allocation of constitutionally
appropriated funds under the equitable allocation formula to institutions
of higher education (institution) for specified expenditures, but does not
specify whether an institution is authorized to transfer funds among
different member institutions.  While Lamar University transferred
allocated funds to the Lamar Institute of Technology, there was still
confusion on whether Lamar University was specifically authorized to
transfer these allocated funds.  House Bill 3699 authorizes the board of
regents of the Texas State University System to expend the funds allocated
to the Lamar Institute of Technology for any constitutionally authorized
purpose in the same manner as separate degree-granting institutions. 

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 3699 amends the Education Code to authorize the board of regents
of the Texas State University System to expend the funds allocated to the
Lamar Institute of Technology for any constitutionally authorized purpose
in the same manner and under the same circumstances as expenditures for
those purposes for other separate degree-granting institutions of higher
education.  The bill specifies that the $8,818,023 allocation that Lamar
University is entitled to under the equitable allocation formula includes
an allocation of $491,946 to the Lamar Institute of Technology.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 15, 2001.