By: Creighton, et al. S.B. No. 1295     (Morrison)           A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to financial support and incentives for comprehensive   regional universities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 62.003(1), Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:                (1)  Except as otherwise provided by Subchapters C, D,   E, F, [and] G, and I, "eligible institution" means the eligible   agencies and institutions of higher education listed in Article   VII, Section 17(b), of the Constitution of Texas, and any   institution or agency of higher education that is later made   eligible to participate in the disbursement of funds pursuant to   Article VII, Section 17(c), of the Constitution of Texas.          SECTION 2.  Chapter 62, Education Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter I to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER I.  COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL UNIVERSITY FUNDING          Sec. 62.181.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                (1)  "At-risk student" means an undergraduate student   of an eligible institution:                      (A)  whose score on the SAT or ACT assessment test   is less than the national mean score of students' scores on that   test; or                      (B)  who has previously received a grant under the   federal Pell Grant program.                (2)  "Eligible institution" means an institution of   higher education designated as a comprehensive university,   doctoral university, or master's university under the coordinating   board's accountability system.          Sec. 62.182.  PURPOSE. The purpose of this subchapter is to   provide funding to each eligible institution to support the   institution in serving at-risk students, helping meet the state's   workforce needs, and enhancing the institution's regional economy.          Sec. 62.183.  FUNDING. (a) Subject to Subsection (b), for   each state fiscal biennium, an eligible institution is entitled to   receive an amount equal to the sum of:                (1)  a base amount of $500,000 or a greater base amount   provided by appropriation; and                (2)  the product of $1,000 or a greater amount provided   by appropriation and the average number of at-risk students awarded   a degree by the institution each year during the three state fiscal   years preceding the biennium.          (b)  An alternative method of allocating funding under this   section may be provided by appropriation.          Sec. 62.184.  STUDY AND REPORT. (a) The coordinating board,   in consultation with a representative group of eligible   institutions, shall conduct a study on the method of funding   provided under Section 62.183 to determine that method's   effectiveness in:                (1)  allocating state funds fairly and equitably; and                (2)  promoting student success at eligible   institutions.          (b)  Not later than September 1, 2022, the coordinating board   shall submit to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board a   report on the results of the study and any recommendations for   legislative or other action.          (c)  This section expires September 1, 2023.          SECTION 3.  An eligible institution is entitled to receive   funding under Section 62.183, Education Code, as added by this Act,   beginning with the first state fiscal biennium for which money is   appropriated for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.