BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 1465
By: Coleman
03-06-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Houston Community College System (HCCS) -- Central College is
located on a 25 acre campus near downtown Houston.  The campus is
divided in half by Austin Street which runs North-South for two
blocks. The San Jacinto Memorial Building and the Fine Arts Center-two of the campus' main buildings-are located on either side of
Austin Street. Traffic in this area creates a perilous situation
for hundreds of students, including many students with
disabilities. 

Winbern is an East/West street running for one block between the
college parking garage and a surface parking lot.  Excessive
pedestrian traffic takes place as students and staff cross the
street to attend class.

The City of Houston supports this legislation.  The city requested
that they be allowed emergency access to which the college has
agreed.

Legislation is needed to close these two streets in order to
eliminate this dangerous traffic-pedestrian hazard. Current
legislation does not qualify community colleges to close streets.
Current law authorizes state-supported colleges (not community
colleges) and universities in counties of populations over 2
million to close streets that are abutted by college/university-
owned property.  Houston Community College System -Central College
owns all of the property abutting these streets.


PURPOSE

The purpose of this legislation is to close two streets that run
through the Central College campus of Houston Community College. 
Closing these streets will eliminate a serious traffic/pedestrian
situation on the campus.


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 51 Z, Education Code, by amending
Section 51.904 to read as follows:

     Sec. 51.904.  STREET CLOSING.   Eliminating the words "state
supported college or university" and adding the words "an
institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003".

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date:  upon passage.



SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 1465 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on
March 14, 1995.  The following person testified in favor of the
bill:  Dr. James Engle, President, HCCS-Central College.  The bill
was reported favorably without amendment, 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 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0
pnv, 1 absent.