The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) proposes new Subchapter C, §§15.40 - 15.44, concerning National Research University Fund. This subchapter establishes rules for eligible institutions to receive funds under the National Research University Fund, which is established to support emerging research universities to achieve national prominence as major research universities. Authority for this subchapter is provided by Texas Education Code, §§62.145 - 62.146, which directs the Coordinating Board to adopt standards for the purposes of determining an institution's eligibility for funding from the National Research University Fund and authorizes the Board to adopt rules for the standard methods of accounting and standard methods of reporting information for the purpose of determining eligibility of institutions to receive funds under the National Research University Fund.

Dr. MacGregor M. Stephenson, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Research, and Ms. Susan Brown, Assistant Commissioner of Planning and Accountability, have determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect, there will be a fiscal implication to state government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules. One full-time equivalent staff member is needed to implement and monitor the collection of data and monitor institutional progress towards the standards identified in these rules. There will be no fiscal implication on local governments.

Dr. Stephenson and Ms. Brown have also determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering the sections will be to monitor progress of one or more institutions moving toward national research status. Increasing the number of national research universities is anticipated to make Texas more economically competitive, through increased research that will lead to innovative scientific discoveries and generate the establishment of new businesses and creation of new jobs. There is no effect on small businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the sections as proposed. There is no anticipated impact on local employment.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Kevin Lemoine, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711 or Kevin.Lemoine@thecb.state.tx.us. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.

The new sections are proposed under Texas Education Code, §§62.145 - 62.146, which give the Coordinating Board the authority to develop and implement the provisions of the National Research University Fund.

The new sections affect Texas Education Code, §§62.145 - 62.146.