Bill

SB 24

84(R) - 2015
Senate Higher Education
Senate Higher Education
Higher Education

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Judith Zaffirini

Bill Caption

Relating to training for members of the governing board of a public institution of higher education.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 24 would expand the training requirements for newly appointed board members during their first year on the board. Bill requires all newly appointed members to attend a training program and go through a short orientation course before taking their oath of office. Additionally newly appointed board members will not be allowed to vote on any budgetary or personnel matters until they have completed the training course.

SB 24 would make certain topics covered in board member training mandatory, including auditing procedures, governance, and disciplinary and investigative authority. The bill would add ethics and federal laws on student privacy to the topics to be covered in training, as well as limitations on the authority of the governing board.

Vote Recommendation Notes

5/19/15 update:

No amendments or modifications have been made to the bill since we reported on it. 

First chamber analysis:

This bill creates unnecessary barriers that would restrain the board of regents from effectively executing their fiduciary duties, as already defined in statute. Additionally bill would place limitations on board members' ability to vote on budgetary or personnel matters related to system administration or institutions of higher education.

Governor Perry vetoed SB 15, a similar bill that was filed in the 83rd Legislative Session. He stated that “limiting oversight authority of a board of regents is a step in the wrong direction. History has taught us that the lack of board oversight in both the corporate and university settings diminishes accountability and provides fertile ground for organizational malfeasance.” Texas Public Policy Action opposed SB 15 in the 83rd Legislative Session which was a substantially similar bill.

SB 24 would abridge the principle of limited government, therefore we do not support this legislation.