BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 221
                                                    By: Zaffirini
                                                        Education
                                                          1-25-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Teacher enhancement courses offered at colleges and universities
are often federally funded via grants. State law, however,
prohibits those who take the courses from earning credit unless
they pay tuition. This sometimes results in a "double-payment" for
the same services and can jeopardize the institutions' ability to
secure grants. Some proponents argue that eliminating the tuition
requirement for such courses may provide incentive for educators to
take them.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 221 provides a waiver of tuition and fees for
teachers attending federally funded teacher enhancement programs.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 54D, Education Code, by adding Section
54.212, as follows:

     Sec. 54.212. TEACHERS ATTENDING FEDERALLY FUNDED TEACHER
     ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS. Authorizes the governing board of an
     institution of higher education to waive tuition and fees for
     a teacher attending a federally funded teacher enhancement
     program.
     
SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.