BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 334 By: Uher 05-01-95 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND The Palacios Marine Education Center (PMEC), through a broad regional collaboration of public institutions, has been providing specialized educational experiences to the students, teachers and citizens of the State of Texas since 1987. It is the only marine-oriented institution in the state to effectively incorporate pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public education (for students and teachers), higher education (academic and vocational) and informal education (outreach) programs in a comprehensive and coordinated manner at one public campus. The PMEC has uniquely capitalized on the natural wonder and intrigue of our rich coastal and marine environments to noticeably enhance our collective understanding and appreciation of Texas abundant coastal resources, while advancing the scientific, technical and public resource policy literacy of Texas youth, who clearly represent tomorrow's leadership for the State and the Nation. PURPOSE This bill seeks to formally recognize this Mid-coast learning center (the PMEC) as the state's official marine education center, thus prudently establishing a needed focal point for effective PK-12, teacher in-service, vocational training, outreach and college-level academic programs of benefit to a growing and diversified population of prospective users from across the state. So sanctioning this Gulf Coast teaching institution as the "Texas Marine Education Center" will greatly expand the facility's opportunities to transfer knowledge and develop skills of practical benefit to all Texans, both now and in the future. 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 Section Subchapter Z, Chapter 21, Education Code by adding Section 21.940 to designate the Palacios Marine Education Center the State Official Marine Education Center. SECTION 2. Amends Section 16.006, Education Code to provide for calculating average daily attendance for a student who attends the official marine education center, will be counted in the average daily attendance of Matagorda Independent School District and the district in which the student regularly attends school. SECTION 3. This act applies beginning with the 1995-1996 school year. SECTION 4. Declares an emergency in order to suspend the rules requiring a bill be read on three several days. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS Committee amendment no. 1 strikes section 2 in its entirety. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION HB 334 was considered in a public hearing on April 25, 1995. The committee considered one amendment to the bill. The amendment was adopted without objection. The following persons testified for the bill: Thomas Holsworth, representing Matagorda Co. Navigation District #1; and Rudy Okruhlik, representing Palacios ISD; and Catherine Porter, representing Palacios ISD; and Erwin Janszen, representing Palacios ISD; and Cara Herlin, representing Palacios ISD; and Richard Knapik, representing Bay City Chamber of Commerce; and William Younger, representing Matagorda County Commissioners Court and Matagorda Co. District #1; and Irene Pickhardt, representing TEA; and Dan Rollins, representing Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. The bill was left pending. HB 334 was considered in a public hearing on April 26, 1995. The bill was reported favorably, as amended, with the recommendation that it do pass and be placed on the consent calendar, by a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 1 absent.