By: Morrison H.B. No. 3175       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to state support for comprehensive regional universities   in this state.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 62, Education Code, is amended by adding   Subchapter I to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER I. COMPREHENSIVE REGIONAL UNIVERSITY FUNDING          Sec. 62.171.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:                (1)  "At-risk student" means an undergraduate student   of an eligible institution:                      (A)  whose score on the Scholastic Assessment Test   (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) 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 or met the Expected Family   Contribution(EFC) criterion for a grant under that program.                (2)  "Comprehensive regional university" means an   institution of higher education that is designated as a doctoral,   comprehensive, or master's university under the coordinating   board's accountability system.                (3)  "Eligible institution" means a comprehensive   regional university.          Sec. 62.172.  PURPOSE.  The purpose of this subchapter is to   provide funding to each comprehensive regional university to   support their mission to serve at-risk students, help meet the   state's workforce needs, and enhance their regional economies.          Sec. 62.173.  FUNDING. (a) In each state fiscal year,   amounts shall be appropriated for purposes of this subchapter to   eligible institutions as follows:                (1)  a base amount of $500,000 or a greater amount   provided by appropriation to each eligible institution; and                (2)  $1,000 or a greater amount provided by   appropriation for each degree awarded to an at-risk student by an   eligible institution.          (b)  The number of degrees awarded under Subsection (a)(2) is   determined by using the average number of degrees awarded to   at-risk students annually by each institution in the three   preceding state fiscal years.          (c)  An alternative allocation method for this funding may be   provided by appropriation.          Sec. 62.174.  STUDY AND REPORT. (a) The coordinating board   in consultation with a representative group of eligible   institutions shall conduct a study of the funding methodology   established under Section 62.173 to determine its 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   written report that includes the study's findings and any   recommendations for legislative or other action.          (c)  This section expires September 1, 2023.          SECTION 2.  (a) The funding for this Act for the state fiscal   years ending in 2022 and 2023 is contingent on the legislature   providing a specific appropriation for the implementation of this   Act in the general appropriations act of the 87th legislature.          (b)  This Act takes effect immediately if this Act receives   the votes 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, those   sections take effect September 1, 2021.