79th Legislature (2005)   Tuition Equalization Grant Program (TEG)   Policy Position: Since 1995 ICUT has advocated TEG funding at a level that would meet 70% of student need for TEG. The 78th Legislature appropriated $70.3 million per year for the TEG program for the 2004-2005 biennium, a reduction of 14.5% from 2003-2004 biennium. At that level, TEG funding met about 47% of need for the 2004-2005 biennium.   Result: The Legislature increased TEG funding to $105.9 million for each year of the 2006-2007 biennium. With those funds, ICUT institutions will cover grants for their TEXAS Grant recipients whose grants are renewable during the biennium and award TEG grants to their students. The appropriation will cover the institutions' TEXAS Grant obligations and meet about 54% of students' need for the TEG program.   TEXAS (Toward EXcellence, Access and Success) Grant Program   Policy Position: Since 1999, ICUT has supported the TEXAS Grant program, believing it to be an important tool for encouraging high school students to complete college preparation courses. After September 1, 2005, ICUT institutions no longer will be eligible to participate in the TEXAS Grant program.   Other Existing Programs   Texas College Work-Study: Work-Study is one of the most effective retention tools available to colleges and universities. On-campus jobs bond students to institutions by providing jobs where employers recognize the demands that college enrollment places on students. ICUT supports the THECB's request for additional funding for this program.   Result: The Legislature increased funding for College Work-Study to a minimum of $5 million for the 2006-2007 biennium.   Advanced Technology Research Program: For a number of years, the THECB administered this program to support university research with the potential to produce new inventions, discoveries and technology with immediate market applications. ICUT supported this program.   Result: Funding for this program was discontinued by the Legislature when it created the $200-million Emerging Technology Fund (ETF), which ICUT actively supported. ICUT research universities are eligible to compete for project funds under the new program.   Proposed Legislation   ICUT will seek passage of the following bills during the 79th Legislature. SB 1829 (Wong) This bill allows independent institutions to charge students the same fees for processing credit card charges that public institutions charge their students.   Result: The Legislature passed the bill, and it became effective when the Governor signed it on June 20, 2005.   HB 2390 (Harper-Brown) This bill eliminates duplicative regulation of the ICUT-created CARES health benefits consortium by the Texas Department of Insurance. The consortium will be regulated by the US Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service.   Result: The Legislature passed the bill, and it became effective on June 17, 2005, when the Governor signed it.   HB 2701 (Crownover) This bill reorganizes Chapter 53 of the Texas Education Code as it relates to Higher Education Authorities. The revision simplifies the Chapter by creating subchapters for each type of Higher Education Authority, which will allow the Legislature to make future amendments to each type of authority without affecting the others.   Result: The bill was passed and signed by the Governor. It will become effective on September 1, 2005.

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