Bill
HB 2285
85(R) - 2017
House Higher Education
Senate Higher Education
House Higher Education
Senate Higher Education
Coastal affairs
Higher Education
Vote Recommendation
No
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Negative
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Neutral
Author(s)
Ed Thompson
Co-Author(s)
Carol Alvarado
Dennis Bonnen
Dennis Paul
John Raney
Sponsor(s)
Larry Taylor
Bill Caption
Relating to the establishment of the Texas Institute for Coastal Prairie Research and Education at the University of Houston.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
HB 2285 would establish the Texas Institute for Coastal Prairie Research and Education at the University of Houston. The institute would conduct environmental research and education, collaborate, and become an authority on coastal prairie and prairie restoration. The institute would also be permitted to solicit, accept, and administer gifts and grants from any public or private source.
Vote Recommendation Notes
This bill would infringe on the principle of limited government by creating a new program at a public university that is not a core function of state government. While the fiscal note mentions that no significant fiscal impact to the state is expected, it is easily foreseeable that future legislatures will expand and fund this with appropriations as is often the case with new programs that start out with no expected costs. For these reasons we oppose HB 2285.
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