BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 446
By: Luna (Hernandez)
03-08-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio has contracted with the
U.S. Army to grant degrees for the Physician Assistant Program at
the Academy of Health Sciences at Fort Sam Houston.


PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 446 authorizes an exemption from the required
governmental or political science course with an emphasis on the
Texas Constitution to certain degree programs operated by a higher
education medical or dental unit under contract with the U.S. Army.


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 51F, Education Code, Section
51.301(b), to read as follows:

     Sec. 51.301.  GOVERNMENT OR POLITICAL SCIENCE. (b) Authorizes
the exemption of the required government or political science
course with emphasis on the Texas Constitution to a student
enrolled in an academic program offered by a medical and dental
unit if:

           (1) the program is operated under contract with the U.S.
Army;
           (2) the participant has less than two years of residency
in this state; and 
           (3) participant is stationed outside of this state.

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


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

S.B. 446 was considered by the committee in lieu of H.B. 1011 in a
public hearing on March 7, 1995.  The following person testified
neutrally on S.B. 446:  Mr. James G. Van Straten, Dean, School of
Allied Health Sciences.  S.B. 446 was reported favorably without
amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed
and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a
record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, and 4 absent.