MMA H.B. 221 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


HIGHER EDUCATION
H.B. 221
By: Hirschi
2-19-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Midwestern State University (MSU) offers a comprehensive bachelor of
science and master of science degree program in radiological science. The
programs are unique and are provided via instructional telecommunication
to military personnel who would not ordinarily attend class full time. 

The 74th Legislature allowed Air Force personnel, who began these programs
while stationed in Texas, to continue their enrollment in these courses at
in-state tuition rates if transferred out-ofstate. Other military branches
have expressed interest in the same opportunity.  Current law requires
members of the United States Army, Navy, or Coast Guard to pay
out-of-state tuition rates. This makes the courses prohibitively expensive
for military personnel not based in Texas. 

PURPOSE

This bill allows the U.S. Army, Navy, and Coast Guard military personnel
stationed outside the State of Texas to benefit from in-state tuition
rates for courses in radiological science offered at MSU through
instructional telecommunications, if they begin the program while
stationed in Texas. 

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 subsection (h), Section 54.058, Education Code by adding
Army, Navy, and Coast Guard to eligible military personnel entitled to pay
in-state tuition for the radiological science programs at Midwestern State
University.  Also, makes conforming changes to include designated military
installations. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: fall semester, 1997. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.