BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 328 By: Munoz May 4, 1995 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, the Texas State Technical College System is the only state-funded institution of higher education along the Texas/Mexican border that does not exempt Mexican residents from paying out-of-state tuition. Texas State Technical College (TSTC)-Harlingen has signed cooperative agreements with the two principal Mexican Technical High School Systems (DGETI and CONALEP). These agreements provide the structure for exchange activities between the Mexican schools and TSTC. TSTC will be the focal point in South Texas for all high-tech industrial training that will be demanded as a result of the increasing effects of the NAFTA agreement. PURPOSE If enacted, H.B. 328 would allow the Technical State Technical College System to exempt Mexican residents from paying out-of-state tuition rates. 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 54 B, Education Code, Section 54.060(b) and (d) to read as follows: Sec. 54.060. RESIDENT OF BORDERING STATE OR NATION OR PARTICIPANT IN STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM: TUITION. (b) Includes a component of the Texas State Technical College System. (d) Includes that a student may obtain a certificate or diploma as well as a degree or attend graduate courses as stated by the existing law. SECTION 2. Effective date: Fall semester, 1995. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION H.B. 328 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on April 28, 1995. The chair recognized Representative Sergio Munoz to explain the bill. The following person testified in favor of the bill: Ms. Natalie Flores Prim. The following person testified neutrally on the bill: Mr. Stephen Vassberg. The chair recognized Representative Sergio Munoz to close. The bill was referred to the subcommittee on tuition exemptions consisting of Representative Rodriguez as chair and Representative Goolsby and Ogden as members. H.B. 328 was considered by the subcommittee in a public hearing on April 26, 1995. The bill was reported favorably without amendment to the full committee by a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 0 absent. H.B. 328 was considered on subcommittee report by the committee in a formal meeting on May 3, 1995. The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 3 absent.