HBA-EDN H.B. 2365 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2365
By: Williams
Higher Education
3/18/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The 76th Legislature provided the funds required to obtain matching federal
funds for research and extension programs at Prairie View A&M University
(PVAMU) for fiscal years 2000 and 2001. However, there is no plan in place
for the appropriation of such funds beyond fiscal year 2001.  Without
matching funds from the state, federal research and extension
appropriations are subject to substantial reductions, in which case these
programs may be at risk.  House Bill 2365 mandates the appropriation of
state matching funds for research and extension activities at PVAMU for
fiscal year 2002 and beyond.    
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

House Bill 2365 amends the Education Code to require the legislature, for
each state fiscal year, to appropriate funds to Prairie View A&M University
(PVAMU) in an amount equal to the amount of nonfederal matching funds
required in that fiscal year to enable agricultural research and extension
programs to receive the maximum amount of federal formula funds available
under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (Act).  The bill requires the legislature, for each state
fiscal year, to appropriate an additional amount equal to 10 percent of the
amount described above to PVAMU for agricultural research, extension,
education, or other qualifying activities that enable the programs
conducting those activities to qualify for additional federal funds that
become available under the Act or for matching funds from any other source
not funded with state revenue.  The bill provides that the portion of such
appropriations not used or obligated in the applicable fiscal year to
obtain or qualify for matching funds lapses at the end of the fiscal year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.