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.