BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 773
                                                     By: Moncrief
                                                        Education
                                                         03-30-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Current Texas law allows the governing board of state colleges and
universities to promulgate rules providing for the disposition of
abandoned and unclaimed personal property coming into the
possession of campus security personnel, as long as the property is
not being used as evidence in a criminal investigation.  However,
private schools have to keep such property for three years before
it can be considered abandoned.  This procedure is cumbersome and
complicated, and imposes a burden upon private institutions of
higher education.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 773 amends current law to allow private
institutions of higher education the same authority as public
institutions of higher education to make rules and regulations
providing for the disposition of abandoned personal property.

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 51.213, Education Code, as follows:

     Sec.  51.213.  ABANDONED PERSONAL PROPERTY.  (a)  Authorizes
     the governing board of each state institution of higher
     education to promulgate rules and regulations regarding
     abandoned and unclaimed personal property.
     
     (b)  Authorizes the authority granted to governing boards
       under Subsection (a) to also be exercised by governing
       boards of private institutions of higher education,
       including private junior colleges.
       
       (c)  Defines "private institution of higher education."
     SECTION 2.     Emergency clause.
           Effective date:  upon passage.