BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 29
By: Goolsby
Committee Report (Amended)
04-20-95


BACKGROUND

The Texas Education Code does not provide tuition-free higher
education for senior citizens.  Senior citizens are defined by this
chapter as a person 65 years of age or older.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 29 will require an institution to enroll for
credit in up to six hours of courses offered by the institution
each semester or summer term to senior citizens, tuition free, if
space is available in these classes.

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.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1:  Amends Chapter 54D, Education Code, by adding Section
54.210 (c), as follows:

     Sec. 54.210. (c) Requires the governing board of an
institution of higher education to provide in up to six credit
hours of education per semester to senior citizens if there is
space available in classes.

SECTION 2:  Effective date: fall semester of 1995.

SECTION 3:  Emergency clause.


EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

On page 1, line 7, the amendment strikes the word "shall" and
inserts the word "may".  The amendment makes H.B. 29 permissive by
allowing the governing board of an institution to offer tuition
waivers but does not require them to do so.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 29 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on
February 21, 1995.

The bill was referred to the subcommittee on tuition exemptions
consisting of Representatives Rodriguez, Goolsby and Ogden.

H.B. 29 was considered by the subcommittee in a formal meeting on
March 28, 1995.  The subcommittee considered an amendment to the
bill.  The amendment was adopted without objection by a non-record
vote.  The bill was reported favorably as amended to the full
committee by a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 0 absent.

H.B. 29 was considered on subcommittee report by the committee in
a formal meeting on April 20, 1995.  The committee considered an
amendment to the bill.  The amendment was adopted without objection
by a non-record vote.  The bill was reported favorably as amended,
with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent
to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote
of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 3 absent.