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.