BILL ANALYSIS C.S.S.B. 221 S.B. 221 By: Zaffirini (Cuellar) Committee Report (Substituted) Engrossed BACKGROUND Courses offered at colleges and universities are often federally-funded via grants. State law, however, requires institutions of higher education to charge tuition for every course that offers credit. This sometimes results in "double-payment" for the same services and can jeopardize the institutions ability to secure grants. Some proponents argue that eliminating tuition requirement for such courses may provide incentive for educators to take them. PURPOSE S.B. 221, as substituted, provides a waiver of tuition and fees for students attending courses that are fully funded by federal or other sources. 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 54 D, Education Code, by adding Section 54.212 to read as follows: Sec. 54.212. STUDENTS ENROLLED IN FULLY FUNDED COURSES. Authorizes the governing board of an institution of higher education to waive tuition and fees for students attending courses that are fully funded by federal or other sources. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The original bill waived tuition and fees for teachers enrolled in a federally funded program. The committee substitute applies to all courses that are fully funded by federal or other sources. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION S.B. 221 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on February 28, 1995. The committee considered a complete substitute for S.B. 221. The following person testified in support of the bill: Mr. Robert Beck Clark, Texas A&M University. S.B. 221, as substituted, was left as pending business. S.B. 221, as substituted, was considered by the committee in a public hearing on March 7, 1995. The complete substitute was adopted without objection by a non-record vote. There was no testimony given. S.B. 221 was reported favorably as substituted, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv and 4 absent.