SRC-MAX H.B. 858 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 858 By: Goolsby (West) Education 5-6-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, there are only two public universities in Texas, Texas Southern University and University of Houston-Downtown, with an open enrollment policy. It is believed that open enrollment in all universities would provide greater accessibility to higher education. H.B. 858 would provide for open enrollment for a portion of those persons admitted as undergraduates at certain public institutions of higher education. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 858 provides for open enrollment of certain portions of undergraduates at certain public institutions of higher education. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Subchapter S, as follows: SUBCHAPTER S. ADMISSIONS Sec. 51.761. DEFINITIONS. Provides that the definitions provided by Section 61.003, Education Code, apply to this subchapter. Sec. 51.762. OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR UNDERGRADUATES. Requires each general academic teaching institution (institution), except upper-level institutions, to admit a portion of the undergraduate students admitted to the institution in each academic year through open enrollment. Requires the portion of undergraduates admitted each academic year through open enrollment to be determined in a certain manner. Requires an institution to admit through open enrollment each applicant who has earned a high school diploma or the equivalent and who is not admitted under another category or process. Requires an institution, by lot, to select the appropriate number of applicants to admit under this subsection under certain conditions. Authorizes the institution to require a student admitted under this subsection to enter the institution in a summer term. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997, and applies to admissions for academic years beginning with the 1998-1999 academic year. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.