Governmental Relations

Legislative Update - Friday, April 29, 2011

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SB 1 – Senate Appropriations Bill

As of this morning, SB 1 has not been scheduled to be heard by the Senate.  SB 1 includes formula funding to the Alamo Colleges of $66.8 million a year, which differs from the House Appropriations bill that allocates approximately  $60.1 million.  SB 1 allocates $97.6 million a year for community colleges, employee group insurance which is comparable to the House version that allocates $99.5 million per year.  Difficulty in getting SB 1 heard in the Senate may center on the fact that SB 1 calls for the use of $3 billion from the Rainy Day fund to be used for the next biennium.  
 

Key Legislative Bills

HB 3577 – prohibits a person from receiving a Texas Educational Opportunity Grant if the person is eligible for a TEXAS Grant.  The bill entitles a person who would be awarded both grants to receive only the grant of the greater amount – passed by the House.

SB 1731 - relating to requiring public junior colleges to offer an academic associate degree program that would transfer in its entirety towards a bachelor’s degree was left pending in committee.

SB 1726 – relating to each institution of higher education to identify, adopt, and make available for public inspection measurable learning outcomes for each undergraduate course offered by the institution – passed by the Senate.