BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 2640
By: Madden
04-04-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

The State Auditors Office often encounters the problem of over-reporting by colleges when trying to determine the number of
students enrolled in a public community college.  The Auditor's
office uses add/drop dates to determine the student enrollment in
public community colleges.  Currently, there is no language
providing for a uniform add/drop date used by community colleges
state-wide.  This causes confusion and misrepresentation of actual
college enrollment.


PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2640 provides a uniform add-drop date that can be
used by public community colleges throughout Texas.  


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does expressly grant
additional rulemaking authority to the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board in Section 1 (Sec. 130.008, Education Code) of
this bill.


SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 130 A, Education Code, by adding Section
130.008 to read as follows:

     Sec. 130.008.  UNIFORM DATES FOR ADDING OR DROPPING COURSE. 
(a) Authorizes the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board by
rule to establish uniform final dates for adding or dropping a
course that is to be set by counting from the first class day of an
academic semester.  (b)  Students may not enroll in a course after
a uniform final date for adding a course.  Also, a student is not
entitled to a refund of any tuition for a course that the student
drops after a uniform final date for dropping a course.  (c)  The
rules may provide for different dates for academic semesters or
terms of different durations.  (d)  The board shall establish rules
under this section not later than December 1, 1995.  

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


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 2640 was considered by the committee in a formal meeting on
April 20, 1995.  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 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 2 absent.