BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 585
By: West (Rangel)
05-17-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

In the last few years, the numbers of paying jobs available to
young people with no college education has been shrinking.  The
remaining jobs pay much less than two decades ago.  Observing these
trends, high school graduates are now borrowing at record rates to
finance college degrees.


PURPOSE

If enacted, S.B. 585 requires the governing board of each academic
teaching institution to establish an office at the institution to
assist interested persons to apply for admission to a bachelor's
degree program at the institution, apply for financial aid and
register for certain exemptions.


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 51 Z, Education Code, by adding Section
51.935 as follows:

     Sec. 51.935.  ASSISTANCE RELATING TO UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS,
FINANCIAL AID AND TESTING.  (a)   Requires the governing board of
each general academic institution to establish an office at the
institution to assist interested persons requesting assistance in
applying for admission to a bachelor's degree program at the
institution, applying for financial aid, and registering for
certain examinations.  (b)  Authorizes the office to be operated in
connection with the admissions office or another existing office of
the institution.  (c)  Provides that this section does not require
an institution to assist a person in preparing to take an
examination.  (d)  Defines "general academic teaching institution."

SECTION 2.  Requires a general academic teaching institution to
establish the office required by Section 51.935, no later than
January 1, 1996.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date:  upon passage.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

S.B. 585 was considered by the committee in a formal meeting on May
17, 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.