CHAPTER 62. CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY FUNDS TO SUPPORT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

EDUCATION CODETITLE 3. HIGHER EDUCATIONSUBTITLE B. STATE COORDINATION OF HIGHER EDUCATIONCHAPTER 62. CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY FUNDS TO SUPPORT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATIONSUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONSSec. 62.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as "The Excellence in Higher Education Act" of 1985.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 225, Sec. 1, eff. June 3, 1985.

Sec. 62.002. PURPOSE. Through equitable allocation of the annual appropriation mandated by Article VII, Section 17(a), of the Constitution of Texas, the purpose of this chapter is to provide to the governing boards of the institutions and agencies of higher education eligible to participate in the distribution of funds pursuant to Article VII, Section 17, of the Constitution of Texas, the means to create and maintain a degree of excellence at the respective institutions and agencies of higher education that is above and apart from the normal appropriative formulas established by the Coordinating Board, Texas College and University System.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 225, Sec. 1, eff. June 3, 1985.

Sec. 62.003. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:(1) Except as otherwise provided by Subchapters C, D, F, and G, "eligible institution" means the eligible agencies and institutions of higher education listed in Article VII, Section 17(b), of the Constitution of Texas, and any institution or agency of higher education that is later made eligible to participate in the disbursement of funds pursuant to Article VII, Section 17(c), of the Constitution of Texas.(2) "Governing board" means the board of regents or other state governmental body to which an eligible agency or institution is assigned for governance by the Texas Constitution or by the laws of the State of Texas.(3) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 225, Sec. 1, eff. June 3, 1985. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1045, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 1995.Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 287, Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2009.

SUBCHAPTER B. AMOUNTS ALLOCATED BY EQUITABLE ALLOCATION FORMULAFor expiration of Subsections (a-1) and (a-2), see Subsection (a-2).Sec. 62.021. ALLOCATIONS. (a) In each state fiscal year beginning with the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2011, an eligible institution is entitled to receive an amount allocated in accordance with this section from the funds appropriated for that year by Section 17(a), Article VII, Texas Constitution. The comptroller shall distribute funds allocated under this subsection only on presentation of a claim and issuance of a warrant in accordance with Section 403.071, Government Code. An eligible institution may not present a claim to be paid from any funds allocated under this subsection before the delivery of goods or services described in Section 17, Article VII, Texas Constitution, except for the payment of principal or interest on bonds or notes or for a payment for a book or other published library material as authorized by Section 2155.386, Government Code. The allocation of funds under this subsection is made in accordance with an equitable formula consisting of the following elements: space deficit, facilities condition, institutional complexity, and a separate allocation for the Texas State Technical College System. The annual amounts allocated by the formula are as follows:(1) $3,559,433 to Midwestern State University;(2) $27,846,476 to the University of North Texas;(3) $8,771,265 to the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth;(4) $12,311,123 to The University of Texas--Pan American;(5) $5,057,420 to The University of Texas at Brownsville;(6) $8,425,937 to Stephen F. Austin State University;(7) to the following component institutions of the Texas State University System:(A) $8,330,933 to Lamar University;(B) $2,332,463 to the Lamar Institute of Technology;(C) $1,235,752 to Lamar State College--Orange;(D) $1,244,694 to Lamar State College--Port Arthur;(E) $11,893,110 to Sam Houston State University;(F) $21,863,258 to Texas State University--San Marcos;(G) $1,625,061 to Sul Ross State University; and(H) $445,380 to Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College;(8) $8,894,700 to Texas Southern University;(9) to the following component institutions of the Texas Tech University System:(A) $23,936,088 to Texas Tech University;(B) $16,973,569 to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; and(C) $3,743,027 to Angelo State University;(10) $10,169,695 to Texas Woman's University;(11) to the following component institutions of the University of Houston System:(A) $35,885,768 to the University of Houston;(B) $2,393,921 to the University of Houston--Victoria;(C) $5,214,167 to the University of Houston--Clear Lake; and(D) $7,435,238 to the University of Houston--Downtown;(12) to the following component institutions of The Texas A&M University System:(A) $7,139,067 to Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi;(B) $3,796,436 to Texas A&M International University;(C) $5,046,885 to Texas A&M University--Kingsville;(D) $4,652,995 to West Texas A&M University;(E) $5,193,232 to Texas A&M University--Commerce; and(F) $1,307,907 to Texas A&M University--Texarkana; and(13) $5,775,000 to the Texas State Technical College System Administration and the following component campuses, but not its extension centers or programs:(A) Texas State Technical College-Harlingen;(B) Texas State Technical College--Marshall;(C) Texas State Technical College--West Texas; and(D) Texas State Technical College--Waco.(a-1) This subsection applies only to the state fiscal years ending August 31, 2009, and August 31, 2010, and is intended as a correction necessary to ensure an equitable distribution of the funds appropriated by Section 17(a), Article VII, Texas Constitution, for the five-year period ending August 31, 2010, in accordance with the equitable formula prescribed by Section 17(d), Article VII, Texas Constitution. In each state fiscal year to which this subsection applies, an eligible institution is entitled to receive an amount allocated in accordance with this subsection from the funds appropriated for each of those years by Section 17(a), Article VII, Texas Constitution. The comptroller shall distribute funds allocated under this subsection only on presentation of a claim and issuance of a warrant in accordance with Section 403.071, Government Code. An eligible institution may not present a claim to be paid from any funds allocated under this subsection before the delivery of goods or services described in Section 17, Article VII, Texas Constitution, except for the payment of principal or interest on bonds or notes or for a payment for a book or other published library material as authorized by Section 2155.386, Government Code. The allocation of funds under this subsection is made in accordance with an equitable formula consisting of the following elements: space deficit, facilities condition, institutional complexity, and a separate allocation for the Texas State Technical College System. The annual amounts allocated by the formula are as follows:(1) $3,810,377 to Midwestern State University;(2) $27,122,687 to the University of North Texas;(3) $7,994,676 to the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth;(4) $13,176,800 to The University of Texas--Pan American;(5) $4,284,677 to The University of Texas at Brownsville;(6) $6,907,643 to Stephen F. Austin State University;(7) to the following component institutions of the Texas State University System:(A) $8,028,333 to Lamar University;(B) $1,825,332 to the Lamar Institute of Technology;(C) $1,140,745 to Lamar State College--Orange;(D) $1,217,124 to Lamar State College--Port Arthur;(E) $10,184,001 to Sam Houston State University;(F) $20,258,248 to Texas State University--San Marcos;(G) $2,090,896 to Sul Ross State University; and(H) $388,203 to Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College;(8) $11,283,387 to Texas Southern University;(9) to the following component institutions of the Texas Tech University System:(A) $27,446,656 to Texas Tech University;(B) $14,854,762 to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; and(C) $3,667,497 to Angelo State University;(10) $8,615,167 to Texas Woman's University;(11) to the following component institutions of the University of Houston System:(A) $36,091,538 to the University of Houston;(B) $2,335,692 to the University of Houston--Victoria;(C) $5,355,874 to the University of Houston--Clear Lake; and(D) $9,548,995 to the University of Houston--Downtown;(12) to the following component institutions of The Texas A&M University System:(A) $8,471,116 to Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi;(B) $3,202,241 to Texas A&M International University;(C) $5,167,540 to Texas A&M University--Kingsville;(D) $4,886,159 to West Texas A&M University;(E) $5,684,047 to Texas A&M University--Commerce; and(F) $1,684,587 to Texas A&M University--Texarkana; and(13) $5,775,000 to the Texas State Technical College System Administration and the following component campuses, but not its extension centers or programs:(A) Texas State Technical College-Harlingen;(B) Texas State Technical College--Marshall;(C) Texas State Technical College--West Texas; and(D) Texas State Technical College--Waco.(a-2) This subsection and Subsection (a-1) expire September 1, 2010.(b) Each governing board participating in the distribution of funds as described in this section may expend the funds without limitation, and as the governing board may decide in its sole discretion, for any and all purposes described in Article VII, Section 17, of the Constitution of Texas; provided, however, that for new construction, major repair and rehabilitation projects, and land acquisition projects, those funds may not be expended without the prior approval of the legislature or the approval, review, or endorsement, as applicable, of the coordinating board; and provided further that review and approval of major repair and rehabilitation shall apply only to projects in excess of $600,000.(c) Each governing board participating in the distribution of funds as described in this section may issue bonds and notes as authorized in Article VII, Section 17, of the Constitution of Texas. For purposes of this chapter, the governing board of Texas Tech University may issue bonds and notes as authorized in Article VII, Section 17, of the Constitution of Texas, on behalf of both Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and the annual appropriations of both institutions may be combined and pledged by the governing body of Texas Tech University in support of such bonds and notes.(d) All funds appropriated by Article VII, Section 17, of the Constitution of Texas, but not expended during the fiscal year of appropriation, shall be carried forward and reappropriated for each of the succeeding fiscal years until expended by the governing boards of eligible institutions for the purposes described in Article VII, Section 17, of the Constitution of Texas.(e) Whereas the University of North Texas at Dallas was created as an institution of higher education by Chapter 25 (S.B. 576), Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, which was approved by a vote of more than two-thirds of the membership of each house of the legislature, the University of North Texas at Dallas is entitled to participate in the funding provided by Section 17, Article VII, Texas Constitution, as soon as the University of North Texas at Dallas operates as a general academic teaching institution.(f) Pursuant to the annual allocation amounts shown in Subsections (a) and (a-1) for each year of the remaining 10-year allocation period established under Section 17(d), Article VII, Texas Constitution, that ends in 2015, the comptroller shall distribute to the Lamar Institute of Technology a portion of the total annual appropriation under Section 17(a), Article VII, Texas Constitution.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 225, Sec. 1, eff. June 3, 1985. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1070, Sec. 5, eff. May 15, 1988; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1084, Sec. 1.31; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 105, Sec. 3, eff. Aug. 26, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 305, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 12, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 408, Sec. 11, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1045, Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1061, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 129, Sec. 1, eff. May 19, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1363, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1467, Sec. 1.03, eff. June 19, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1508, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 238, Sec. 2, eff. May 22, 2001; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1212, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 386, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1306, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1306, Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2005.Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 179, Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2007.Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 287, Sec. 10, eff. June 17, 2009.

Sec. 62.022. ALLOCATION FORMULA. (a) Prior to the convening of the regular session of the Texas Legislature immediately preceding each 10-year period for which Section 17(d), Article VII, Texas Constitution, prescribes an allocation of the money appropriated by Section 17(a), Article VII, Texas Constitution, the coordinating board shall conduct, with the full participation of the eligible institutions, a study and present recommendations to the Legislative Budget Board and the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate having jurisdiction over legislation related to higher education as to the allocation of the money appropriated by Section 17(a) for the following 10-year allocation period established by Section 17(d).(b) Prior to the convening of the regular session of the Texas Legislature immediately preceding the sixth year of each 10-year allocation period established by Section 17(d), Article VII, Texas Constitution, the coordinating board shall conduct, with the full participation of the eligible institutions, a study and present recommendations to the Legislative Budget Board and the standing committees of the house of representatives and the senate having cognizance over legislation related to higher education as to whether and, if so, how, the equitable allocation formula established for that 10-year period should be adjusted for the last five years of the 10-year period. The coordinating board shall include in the study a survey of educational and general building quality, if the legislature provides funds for the survey.(c) The legislature shall approve, modify and approve, or reject the recommendations of the coordinating board under Subsection (a) or (b).(d) If, prior to the first day of the sixth year of a 10-year allocation period established by Section 17(d), Article VII, Texas Constitution, the Texas Legislature fails to act on a recommendation for adjustment in the equitable allocation formula, the 10-year allocation provided for in Section 62.021(a) shall continue until the end of the 10-year period.(e) No adjustment shall be made in the allocation formula that will prevent payment of both the principal and interest on outstanding bonds and notes sold pursuant to Section 17(e), Article VII, Texas Constitution.(f) A review of the allocation formula conducted by the coordinating board under this section shall include:(1) a comparison of the deferred maintenance needs of an institution of higher education and the extent to which the constitutionally dedicated funds were used to meet those needs; and(2) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the allocation formula concerning deferred maintenance needs of those institutions.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 225, Sec. 1, eff. June 3, 1985. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1084, Sec. 1.33, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1045, Sec. 3, eff. June 17, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1467, Sec. 1.05, eff. June 19, 1999.

Sec. 62.023. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof under any circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 225, Sec. 1, eff. June 3, 1985.

Sec. 62.024. AMOUNT OF ALLOCATION INCREASED. In accordance with Section 17(a), Article VII, Texas Constitution, for each state fiscal year beginning with the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2008, the amount of the annual constitutional appropriation under that subsection is increased to $262.5 million.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 537, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1306, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2005.Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 287, Sec. 11, eff. June 17, 2009.

Sec. 62.027. EFFECT OF LEGISLATION. (a) The constitutional amendment proposed by S.J.R. No. 13, 73rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1993, and approved by the voters at an election held on November 2, 1993, amended Section 17(a), Article VII, Texas Constitution, to permit the legislature by two-thirds vote of the membership of each house to increase the amount of the appropriation made under that section for each five-year period.(b) Chapter 537, Acts of the 73rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1993, added Section 62.024 to this subchapter in order to increase the amount of the appropriation made under Section 17(a), Article VII, Texas Constitution.(c) The increase provided by the amendment to Section 62.024 enacted by the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, in the amount of the appropriation made under Section 17(a), Article VII, Texas Constitution, for each state fiscal year beginning with the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2008, constitutes the increase in accordance with Section 17(a) that the legislature considers appropriate for the five-year period beginning September 1, 2005.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 1045, Sec. 4, eff. June 17, 1995.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1306, Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005.

SUBCHAPTER C. RESEARCH UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDSec. 62.051. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:(1) "Eligible institution" means an institution of higher education designated as a research university or emerging research university under the coordinating board's accountability system.(2) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 287, Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.052. PURPOSE. The purpose of this subchapter is to provide funding to research universities and emerging research universities for the recruitment and retention of highly qualified faculty and the enhancement of research productivity at those universities.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 287, Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.053. FUNDING. (a) For each state fiscal year, the coordinating board shall distribute any funds appropriated by the legislature for the purposes of this subchapter, and any other funds made available for the purposes of this subchapter, to eligible institutions based on the average amount of total research funds expended by each institution annually during the three most recent state fiscal years, according to the following rates:(1) at least $1 million for every $10 million of the average annual amount of those research funds expended by the institution, if that average amount for the institution is $50 million or more; and(2) at least $500,000 for every $10 million of the average annual amount of those research funds expended by the institution, if that average amount for the institution is less than $50 million.(b) For purposes of Subsection (a), the amount of total research funds expended by an eligible institution in a state fiscal year is the amount of those funds as reported to the coordinating board by the institution for that fiscal year, subject to any adjustment by the coordinating board in accordance with the standards and accounting methods the coordinating board prescribes for purposes of this section. If the funds available for distribution for a state fiscal year under Subsection (a) are not sufficient to provide the amount specified by Subsection (a) for each eligible institution or exceed the amount sufficient for that purpose, the available amount shall be distributed in proportion to the total amount to which each institution is otherwise entitled under Subsection (a).

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 287, Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.054. RULES. The coordinating board shall adopt rules for the administration of this subchapter, including any rules the coordinating board considers necessary regarding the submission to the coordinating board by eligible institutions of any student data required for the coordinating board to carry out its duties under this subchapter.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 287, Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.

SUBCHAPTER D. PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE FUNDINGSec. 62.071. 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;(B) who has been awarded a grant under the federal Pell Grant program;(C) who was 20 years of age or older on the date the student initially enrolled in the institution;(D) who is enrolled as a part-time student; or(E) who did not receive a high school diploma but received a high school equivalency certificate within the last six years.(2) "Critical field" means:(A) the field of engineering, computer science, mathematics, physical science, allied health, nursing, or teacher certification in a field of science or mathematics; and(B) any other field of study identified as a critical field by the coordinating board in "Closing the Gaps," the state's master plan for higher education.(3) "Eligible institution" means a general academic teaching institution other than a public state college.(4) "General academic teaching institution" and "public state college" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 287, Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.072. FUNDING. (a) For each state fiscal year, the coordinating board shall distribute any performance incentive funds appropriated by the legislature for purposes of this subchapter, and any other funds made available for the purposes of this subchapter, to eligible institutions as follows:(1) 50 percent to be distributed among eligible institutions in proportion to the increase, if any, in the average number of degrees awarded annually by each institution in the two most recent fiscal years from the average number of degrees awarded annually by that institution in the two fiscal years immediately preceding those fiscal years, using the weights assigned to each degree under the table prescribed by Subsection (b); and(2) the remaining 50 percent to be distributed among eligible institutions in proportion to the average number of degrees awarded annually by each institution in the three most recent fiscal years, using the weights assigned to each degree under the table prescribed by Subsection (b).(b) A number of points is assigned for each degree awarded by an eligible institution according to the following table:

POINTS

Noncritical Field/Not At-Risk Student

1.0

Noncritical Field/At-Risk Student

2.0

Critical Field/Not At-Risk Student

2.0

Critical Field/At-Risk Student

3.0

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.073. RULES. The coordinating board shall adopt rules

for the administration of this subchapter, including any rules

the coordinating board considers necessary regarding the

submission to the coordinating board by eligible institutions of

any student data required for the coordinating board to carry out

its duties under this subchapter.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.

SUBCHAPTER E. RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT FUND

Sec. 62.091. PURPOSE. The research development fund is

established to provide funding to promote increased research

capacity at eligible general academic teaching institutions.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 322, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1,

2005.

Sec. 62.092. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher Education

Coordinating Board.

(2) "Eligible institution" means a general academic teaching

institution, as defined by Section 61.003, other than The

University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, or

Prairie View A&M University.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 322, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1,

2005.

Sec. 62.093. ADMINISTRATION. (a) The research development fund

is a fund outside the state treasury in the custody of the

comptroller.

(b) The comptroller shall administer and invest the research

development fund.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 322, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1,

2005.

Sec. 62.094. FUNDING. (a) The research development fund

consists of the amounts appropriated or transferred to the credit

of the fund under this section or other law.

(b) The comptroller shall deposit all interest, dividends, and

other income earned from investment of the research development

fund to the credit of the fund.

(c) The comptroller may accept gifts or grants from any public

or private source for the research development fund.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 322, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1,

2005.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.095. APPORTIONMENT OF FUND TO ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS.

(a) In each state fiscal year, the comptroller shall distribute

the total amount of all assets in the research development fund

to eligible institutions. The amount shall be apportioned among

the eligible institutions based on the average amount of

restricted research funds expended by each institution per year

for the three preceding state fiscal years.

(b) For purposes of Subsection (a), the amount of restricted

research funds expended by an institution in a fiscal year is the

amount of those funds as reported to the coordinating board by

the institution for that fiscal year, subject to any adjustment

by the coordinating board in accordance with the standards and

accounting methods the coordinating board prescribes under

Section 62.096.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 322, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1,

2005.

Sec. 62.096. VERIFICATION OF ALLOCATION FACTORS. (a) For

purposes of this subchapter, the coordinating board shall

prescribe standards and accounting methods for determining the

amount of restricted research funds expended by an eligible

institution in a state fiscal year.

(b) The coordinating board shall convene a committee comprised

of persons designated by the presidents of eligible institutions

to approve the allocations standards and accounting methods

established by the coordinating board by October 1, 2003.

(c) The coordinating board, as soon as practicable in each state

fiscal year no later than November 1, shall provide the

comptroller with verified information relating to the amounts of

restricted research funds expended by eligible institutions as

necessary to determine the apportionment of the research

development fund under this subchapter for that fiscal year.

(d) The coordinating board may audit the appropriate records of

an eligible institution to verify information for purposes of

this subchapter.

(e) An eligible institution may appeal the coordinating board's

decision regarding the institution's verified information

relating to the amounts of restricted research expended to the

advisory committee for final determination of eligibility.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 322, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1,

2005.

Sec. 62.097. USE OF ALLOCATED AMOUNTS. (a) An eligible

institution may use money received from the research development

fund only for the support and maintenance of educational and

general activities, including research and student services, that

promote increased research capacity at the institution.

(b) Money received by an institution from the research

development fund in a fiscal year that is not used by the

institution in that fiscal year may be held and used by the

institution in subsequent fiscal years.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 322, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1,

2005.

Sec. 62.098. ANNUAL REPORT. (a) Each eligible institution that

receives money under this subchapter in a state fiscal year shall

prepare a report at the end of that fiscal year describing the

manner in which the institution used the money. The institution

shall include in the report information regarding the use of

money spent in that fiscal year that was received under this

subchapter in a preceding fiscal year.

(b) The institution shall deliver a copy of the report to the

coordinating board and the Legislative Budget Board not later

than December 1 after the end of the fiscal year. The Legislative

Budget Board may establish requirements for the form and content

of the report.

(c) The institution shall include in the report information on

the use or other disposition of money the institution previously

received from the Texas excellence fund or the university

research fund, if the institution spent money from either of

those funds in the fiscal year of the report.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 322, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1,

2005.

SUBCHAPTER F. TEXAS RESEARCH INCENTIVE PROGRAM (TRIP)

Sec. 62.121. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Eligible institution" means an institution of higher

education designated as an emerging research university under the

coordinating board's accountability system.

(2) "Gift" includes cash, cash equivalents, marketable

securities, closely held securities, money market holdings,

partnership interests, personal property, real property,

minerals, and life insurance proceeds.

(3) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned

by Section 61.003.

(4) "Program" means the Texas Research Incentive Program (TRIP)

established under this subchapter.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.122. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION. The coordinating board

shall develop and administer the Texas Research Incentive Program

(TRIP) in accordance with this subchapter to provide matching

funds to assist eligible institutions in leveraging private gifts

for the enhancement of research productivity and faculty

recruitment.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.123. MATCHING GRANTS. (a) An eligible institution that

receives gifts or endowments from private sources in a state

fiscal year for the purpose of enhancing research activities at

the institution, including a gift or endowment for endowed

chairs, professorships, facilities, equipment, program costs, or

graduate stipends or fellowships, is entitled to receive, out of

funds appropriated for the purposes of the program for that

fiscal year, a matching grant in an amount determined according

to the following rates:

(1) 50 percent of the amount of the gifts and endowments, if the

total amount of gifts and endowments is $100,000 or more but not

more than $999,999;

(2) 75 percent of the amount of the gifts and endowments, if the

total amount of gifts and endowments is $1 million or more but

not more than $1,999,999; or

(3) 100 percent of the amount of the gifts and endowments, if

the total amount of gifts and endowments is $2 million or more.

(b) An eligible institution is not entitled to matching funds

under the program for:

(1) a gift that has been pledged but has not been received by

the institution;

(2) a gift for undergraduate scholarships or grants; or

(3) any portion of gifts or endowments received by the

institution from a single source in a state fiscal year in excess

of $10 million.

(c) The coordinating board shall establish procedures for the

certification by the coordinating board of an eligible

institution's receipt of a qualifying gift or endowment. A cash

gift or endowment must be certified as of the date the gift or

endowment was deposited by the institution in a depository bank

or invested by the institution as authorized by law. A non-cash

gift must be certified as of the date the gift is converted to

cash, and is considered to have been received on that date for

purposes of this subchapter.

(d) If the funds appropriated for the program for a state fiscal

year are insufficient to provide matching grants in the amounts

specified by this section for all qualifying private gifts and

endowments received by eligible institutions during that fiscal

year, the coordinating board shall provide matching grants for

those gifts and endowments in order of their certification date,

and shall provide matching grants for any remaining unmatched

gifts and endowments in the following fiscal year using funds

appropriated to the program for that following year, to the

extent funds are available.

(e) Matching grants received by an eligible institution under

this section may not be considered as a basis to reduce, directly

or indirectly, the amount of money otherwise appropriated to the

institution.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.124. RULES. The coordinating board shall adopt rules

for the administration of this subchapter.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.

SUBCHAPTER G. NATIONAL RESEARCH UNIVERSITY FUND

Sec. 62.141. PURPOSE. The purpose of this subchapter is to

allocate appropriations from the national research university

fund to provide a dedicated, independent, and equitable source of

funding to enable emerging research universities in this state to

achieve national prominence as major research universities.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.142. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Eligible institution" means a general academic teaching

institution that is eligible to receive distributions of money

under this subchapter.

(2) "Endowment funds" means funds treated as endowment funds

under the coordinating board's accountability system.

(3) "Fund" means the national research university fund.

(4) "General academic teaching institution" has the meaning

assigned by Section 61.003.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.143. ADMINISTRATION AND INVESTMENT OF FUND. (a) The

national research university fund is a fund outside the state

treasury in the custody of the comptroller.

(b) The comptroller shall administer and invest the fund in

accordance with Section 20, Article VII, Texas Constitution.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.144. FUNDING. (a) The fund consists of any amounts

appropriated or transferred to the credit of the fund under the

Texas Constitution or otherwise appropriated or transferred to

the credit of the fund under this section or another law.

(b) The comptroller shall deposit to the credit of the fund all

interest, dividends, and other income earned from investment of

the fund.

(c) The comptroller may accept gifts or grants from any public

or private source for the fund.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.145. ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE DISTRIBUTIONS FROM FUND.

(a) A general academic teaching institution is eligible to

receive a distribution of money under this subchapter for each

year of a state fiscal biennium if:

(1) the institution is designated as an emerging research

university under the coordinating board's accountability system;

(2) in each of the two state fiscal years preceding the state

fiscal biennium, the institution expended at least $45 million in

restricted research funds; and

(3) the institution satisfies at least four of the following

criteria:

(A) the value of the institution's endowment funds is at least

$400 million;

(B) the institution awarded at least 200 doctor of philosophy

degrees during each of the two academic years preceding the state

fiscal biennium;

(C) the entering freshman class of the institution for each of

those two academic years demonstrated high academic achievement,

as determined according to standards prescribed by the

coordinating board by rule, giving consideration to the future

educational needs of the state as articulated in the coordinating

board's "Closing the Gaps" report;

(D) the institution is designated as a member of the Association

of Research Libraries or has a Phi Beta Kappa chapter or has

received an equivalent recognition of research capabilities and

scholarly attainment as determined according to standards

prescribed by the coordinating board by rule;

(E) the faculty of the institution for each of those two

academic years was of high quality, as determined according to

coordinating board standards based on the professional

achievement and recognition of the institution's faculty,

including the election of faculty members to national academies;

and

(F) the institution has demonstrated a commitment to

high-quality graduate education, as determined according to

standards prescribed by the coordinating board by rule, including

the number of graduate-level programs at the institution, the

institution's admission standards for graduate programs, and the

level of institutional support for graduate students.

(b) A general academic teaching institution that becomes

eligible to receive a distribution of money under this subchapter

remains eligible to receive a distribution in each subsequent

state fiscal year.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.146. ACCOUNTING STANDARDS; VERIFICATION OF INFORMATION.

(a) The coordinating board by rule shall prescribe standard

methods of accounting and standard methods of reporting

information for the purpose of determining the eligibility of

institutions under Section 62.145.

(b) As soon as practicable in each even-numbered year, based on

information submitted by the institutions to the coordinating

board as required by the coordinating board, the coordinating

board shall certify to the legislature verified information

relating to the criteria established by Section 62.145 to be used

to determine which institutions are initially eligible for

distributions of money from the fund. Information submitted to

the coordinating board by institutions for purposes of this

subchapter and the coordinating board's certification of that

information under this subsection are subject to audit by the

state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321, Government Code.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.147. INELIGIBILITY OF INSTITUTIONS RECEIVING PERMANENT

UNIVERSITY FUND SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE. The University of Texas

at Austin and Texas A&M University are ineligible to receive

money under this subchapter.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.148. ALLOCATION OF APPROPRIATED FUNDS TO ELIGIBLE

INSTITUTIONS. In each state fiscal year, the comptroller shall

distribute to eligible institutions the total amount appropriated

from the fund for that fiscal year. The amount shall be

allocated to the eligible institutions based on an equitable

formula adopted by the legislature to carry out the purposes of

the fund as established by Section 20, Article VII, Texas

Constitution. In adopting the allocation formula, the

legislature may consider the recommendations of the coordinating

board, including recommendations on the appropriate elements and

relative weights of elements of the formula.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 62.149. USE OF ALLOCATED AMOUNTS. (a) An eligible

institution may use money received under this subchapter only for

the support and maintenance of educational and general activities

that promote increased research capacity at the institution.

(b) For purposes of Subsection (a), the use of money shall be

limited to the following permitted activities:

(1) providing faculty support and paying faculty salaries;

(2) purchasing equipment or library materials;

(3) paying graduate stipends; and

(4) supporting research performed at the institution, including

undergraduate research.

(c) Money received in a fiscal year by an institution under this

subchapter that is not used in that fiscal year by the

institution may be held and used by the institution in subsequent

fiscal years for the purposes prescribed by this section.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

287, Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2009.