88R4289 JTZ-D     By: Meza H.B. No. 877       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a study by the Legislative Budget Board concerning the   long-term effects of regulating tuition rates and amounts charged   by public institutions of higher education.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 322, Government Code, is amended by   adding Section 322.0166 to read as follows:          Sec. 322.0166.  STUDY CONCERNING REGULATION OF TUITION. (a)   In this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning   assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.          (b)  The board shall conduct a study to examine the long-term   costs, benefits, and other effects of any legislative action that   may be taken to regulate the rates and amounts of tuition charged by   institutions of higher education, including by repealing the   statutory authority of those institutions to establish tuition   rates as they determine appropriate. The study may explore all   topics relevant to the matter but, in assessing the effects of   regulation, must strive to strike a balance between promoting the   affordability and accessibility of higher education in this state   and the institutions' need for sufficient revenue to maintain   educational quality for students and competitiveness with other   institutions outside this state. In the study, the board shall:                (1)  recommend to the legislature an appropriate rate   or rates of tuition for institutions of higher education compared   to the rates currently established by the institutions;                (2)  evaluate the potential effects of regulating   tuition rates and amounts on student access to higher education   opportunities in this state, including the effect on enrollment by   disadvantaged or underrepresented Texans, and the potential   effects on affordability, student financial aid, and student loan   debt;                (3)  estimate the potential loss or gain of funding or   revenue by the institutions as a result of any repeal of the   existing statutory authority of those institutions to establish   tuition rates; and                (4)  if the board projects that regulating tuition   rates and amounts would result in a loss of revenue under   Subdivision (3):                      (A)  identify any sources of funding or revenue,   such as institutional endowments, that would be available or   necessary to offset the projected decrease in revenue; and                      (B)  recommend a specific portion or amount of   endowment money that could be used to offset the reduced tuition   revenues.          (c)  Not later than December 1, 2024, the board shall submit   to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house   of representatives, and the presiding officer of each standing   legislative committee having jurisdiction over higher education or   state appropriations a report on the results of the study and the   board's recommendations for legislative or other action.          (d)  This section expires September 1, 2025.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2023.