BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1960

By: Morales, Eddie

Higher Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Middle Rio Grande region is experiencing significant population growth. With that growth comes the need for expanded academic opportunities in the region. Sul Ross State University has satellite campuses in Eagle Pass, Del Rio, and Uvalde, collectively known as Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College. However, only the main campus in Alpine offers classes where students may earn a bachelor's degree. C.S.H.B. 1960 seeks to allow for the satellite campuses in Eagle Pass, Del Rio, and Uvalde to offer bachelor's degree programs at those campuses.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1960 amends the Education Code to expand the course levels that may be offered by the educational center known as Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College by removing the specification that the college is an upper-level educational center.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 1960 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

Whereas the introduced changed the name of Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College to Sul Ross State University Middle Rio Grande Region and replaced the specification that it is an educational center with the specification that it is an educational campus, the substitute does not.