The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) proposes amendments to §§15.42, 15.43, and 15.44 concerning National Research University Fund. The proposed revisions are needed to comply with House Bill 1000, passed by the 82nd Texas Legislature, Regular Session in 2011, and other changes are based on staff recommendation. The proposed amendments would clarify the timeframe in which criteria need to be met for distribution, revise reporting requirements, stipulate a mandatory audit of eligible institutions, remove two criteria due to insufficient comparable data, and make a comprehensive review of five doctoral programs mandatory.

Dr. MacGregor M. Stephenson, Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Research, and Susan Brown, Assistant Commissioner of Planning and Accountability, have determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect, there will be no additional fiscal implication for state government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Dr. Stephenson has also determined that for each year of the first five years the chapter is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering the section 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 section as proposed. There is no anticipated impact on local employment.

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

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

The amendments affect implementation of Texas Education Code, §62.145 and §62.146.