HBA-TBM H.J.R. 78 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 78
By: Wilson
Appropriations
4/2/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, one-third of the annual distribution from the permanent
university fund (PUF) to the available university fund (AUF) is
appropriated for The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS).  The other
two-thirds is earmarked for The University of Texas System.  A portion of
the money appropriated for TAMUS is used for the support and maintenance of
Prairie View A&M University.  This portion may not represent an equitable
distribution of the income from the PUF.  House Joint Resolution 78
requires money appropriated for Prairie View A&M University to be
appropriated from The University of Texas System's share of the AUF.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

ANALYSIS

House Joint Resolution 78 amends the Texas Constitution to modify
provisions requiring the appropriation of money from the available
university fund (AUF) by the board of regents (board) of The Texas A&M
University System (TAMUS) for the support and maintenance of Prairie View
A&M University (PVAMU).  The resolution requires that one-half of the money
appropriated from the AUF for the support and maintenance of The University
of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas System administration be
appropriated, after payments made on bonds and notes, for the support and
maintenance of PVAMU. If that one-half portion is less than the amount of
the remainder of the one-third of the annual distribution to the AUF
appropriated to the board of regents of TAMUS, the board of regents of
TAMUS shall make a just and equitable distribution of a portion of its
appropriation to PVAMU.   

FOR ELECTION

This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at
an election to be held November 6, 2001.  If the voters approve the
amendment, H.J.R. 78 takes effect January 1, 2002.