BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 728
                                                        By: Ellis
                                                        Education
                                                         03-30-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

The Houston Community College System has been working with the city
of Houston in an effort to close a street running through its
central campus.  This would greatly increase the safety and
security of the 12,000 students attending classes at that campus.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 728 authorizes the governing board of an
institution of higher education, including the Houston Community
College System, in a county with a population in excess of two
million, to vacate, abandon and close a street or alley that runs
through the campus.

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 Section 51.904, Education Code, as follows: 

     Sec.  51.904.  STREET CLOSING.  Authorizes the governing body
     of an institution of higher education as defined by Section
     61.003 in a county having a population in excess of 2,000,000
     to vacate, abandon, and close a street or alley running
     through the campus if the institution owns all of the real
     property abutting the street or alley.
SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date:  upon passage.