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.