HBA-LJP S.B. 903 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 903 By: Van de Putte Higher Education 5/18/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In 1972, the United States Congress passed Title IX to prohibit gender-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Historically, athletic programs at high schools and institutions of higher education (institution) have been designed primarily for men and consequently, many current athletic programs for women receive less funding than athletic programs for men. Providing funding to athletic development programs for women at institutions may help to realize the gender-equity goal of Title IX. Senate Bill 903 establishes the women's athletic development fund to support women's athletic development programs that are operated by institutions on a collaborative basis with one or more public high schools in this state. 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 Senate Bill 903 amends the Education Code to establish the women's athletic development fund (fund) in the state treasury to support women's athletic development programs that are operated by institutions of higher education (institution) on a collaborative basis with one or more public high schools in this state. The bill requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to administer the fund and allocate money in the fund to institutions. The bill requires THECB to give priority to programs addressing the needs of public high school students whose economic conditions limit their access to athletic facilities, programs, and opportunities when selecting institutions to support with the fund. The bill requires THECB to consider whether a program promotes gender equality, includes participation of collegiate-level coaches and athletes, and other relevant factors. The bill prohibits THECB from accepting legislative appropriations for the fund for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2003. The bill authorizes THECB to use any available revenue and to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from a public or private source for the fund. The bill requires THECB to conduct a best practices study of women's athletic development programs operated by public institutions in this state and other states and report the findings and recommendations no later than December 1, 2002 to the legislature and to public institutions of this state. The bill requires that the report include an analysis of the effects of programs allocated money from the fund on subsequent student enrollment in and academic performance at public or private institutions. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.