BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2640
                                              By: Madden (Nelson)
                                                        Education
                                                          5-18-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

The State Auditor's 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 State
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 statewide.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2640 requires the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board to establish a uniform add/drop date that can be
used by public community colleges throughout Texas.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted
to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under SECTION 1
(Sec. 130.008(a) and (d), Education Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

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

     Sec.  130.008.  UNIFORM DATES FOR ADDING OR DROPPING COURSE. 
     (a)  Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
     (board), by rule, to establish uniform final dates, counted
     from the first class day of an academic semester or term, for
     adding or dropping a course conducted by a public junior
     college.  Provides that the uniform dates apply to each public
     junior college in this state.
     
     (b)  Prohibits a student from enrolling in a course after a
       uniform final date for adding a course established under
       this section.  Provides that a student is not entitled to a
       refund of any tuition or fees for a course that the student
       drops after a uniform final date for dropping a course
       established under this section.
       
       (c)  Authorizes the rules to provide for different dates for
       academic semesters or terms of different durations.
       
       (d)  Requires the board to establish rules under this
       section by December 1, 1995.  Provides that the rules apply
       to each academic semester or term that begins on or after
       January 1, 1996.  Provides that this subsection expires
       September 1, 1996.
     SECTION 2.     Emergency clause.
           Effective date:  upon passage.