BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2068 By: Hirschi (Haywood) Education 4-28-95 Senate Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The comprehensive bachelor of science and master of science degrees in radiological science at Midwestern State University (MSU) provide advanced education for radiologic administrators. The master's program in radiological sciences at MSU is the first discipline-specific degree in the United States and the bachelor of science course is the only one in Texas. Instructional telecommunication will allow the Air Force personnel, who ordinarily would not be able to attend classes full-time, to benefit from this training. The United States Air Force has expressed interest in enrolling its personnel based out-of-state in these unique courses. Although courses taught through instructional telecommunications do not have the same overhead costs as traditional instruction, current law requires these Air Force personnel to pay out-of-state tuition rates. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2068 allows U.S. Air Force personnel who began a radiological science program at Midwestern State University while stationed in Texas to pay the same tuition and fees as a Texas resident if the personnel are being instructed out of state via telecommunications. 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 54.058, Education Code, by adding Subsection (h), as follows: (h) Entitles U.S. Air Force personnel stationed outside of Texas who are enrolled in bachelor's or master's programs in radiological sciences at Midwestern State University by instructional telecommunication to pay tuition and other fees provided for Texas residents if the personnel began the program while stationed at an Air Force base in Texas. Defines "instructional telecommunication." SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.