BILL ANALYSIS Higher Education Committee By: Counts 02-12-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The original law which established the SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf (SWCID) in 1980 provides that deaf students who attend SWCID must pay tuition expenses. A tuition waiver for deaf students who attend SWCID would encourage Texas Rehabilitation Counselors and other financial support agency representatives to give SWCID equal consideration when contemplating viable postsecondary institution options for deaf students. Because of the comprehensive program provided to deaf students at SWCID, a tuition waiver would greatly assist the college in its recruiting efforts and provide deaf students with one of the most optimal postsecondary programs in Texas. PURPOSE To provide tuition waiver for all Texas Deaf students attending SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf of Howard College. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Section 54.205(a), Education Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (5) to read as follows: (5) Definition of "Institution of higher education" as assigned by Section 61.003, and includes the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf. SECTION 2. Section 131.005(a), Education Code is amended as follows: (a) Provides for exemption from tuition and fees under Section 54.205 of this code. SECTION 3. Sets the effective date of this Act as fall semester of 1995. SECTION 4. Provides for the suspension of rules requiring bills to be read. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION Public notice was posted in accordance with house rules. H.B. 435 was considered in a public hearing on February 14, 1995. The following person, Dr. Charles Zucker, testified on the bill. No one testified for or against the bill. A motion by Representative Rodriguez to report H.B. 435 to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the Local and Consent Calendar. The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, and 3 absent.