Bill

SB 1092

85(R) - 2017
Senate Higher Education
Senate Higher Education
Higher Education
Open Records

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Kel Seliger

Bill Caption

Relating to access to certain meetings and information of private or independent institutions of higher education.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

Under current law, public institutions of education are subject to requirements regarding open meetings and public documentation. SB 1092 would also require a private institution of higher education, with students who receive tuition equalization grants collectively valued at nine million dollars or more, to make meetings open to the public, broadcast meetings on the institution's website, publish minutes, and maintain public documentation. Such institutions would only be permitted to conduct a closed meeting under the same circumstances as a governmental body. These provisions would expire in September, 2019.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill infringes on the principle of limited government by requiring private institutions of higher education to be subject to open meeting and public information requirements in the same way as units of government. These are private universities not pubic institutions and the mere fact that they accept students who receive tuition equalization grants does not make them public institutions and should not force them to submit to the same requirements as public universities. For these reasons we oppose SB 1092.

Organizations Supporting

Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

Organizations Opposed

Texas Values Action