SRC-SLL H.B. 1460 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1460
By: Delisi (Fraser)
Education
5-2-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, all junior college and community college districts must have
the words "junior" or "community" in the names of both their districts and
colleges.  Junior college and community college districts have requested
the authority to eliminate these words from their names.  The Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board has also noted necessary clarification of
current statutory language providing for a college name change.  This bill
will set forth new regulations regarding the name of a public junior or
community college. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1460 sets forth new regulations regarding the name of a
public junior or community college. 

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 130A, Education Code, by adding Section
130.0051, as follows: 

Sec.  130.0051.  OTHER CHANGE OF NAME BY JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT.
Authorizes a board of trustees of a junior college district (board) to
change the name of the district or a college within the district by
eliminating the words "community" or "junior" from the name of the
district or college, unless the change would cause the district or college
to have the same or substantially the same name as an existing district,
college, or other public or private institution of higher education in
this state.  Requires the board to file with the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board (coordinating board) a  copy of a resolution adopted
under Subsection (a) that is certified by the secretary of the board.
Provides that the name change is effective on the date the resolution is
filed with the coordinating board. Requires the college or district, after
a name change is filed, to use the new name in all official actions,
communications, or records. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 130.082(c), Education Code, to require the
official name of a junior college district (district) to be the "_________
Junior College District" unless the board of trustees of the district
elects to call the district a community college district, in which event
the official name of the junior college district shall be the
"____________ Community College District."  Authorizes a district to
change its name under Section 130.005 or 130.0051.  Requires the name of
any junior college district existing on September 1, 1997, rather than the
effective date of this code, to remain the same until and unless it is
changed under this chapter, and any change in the name of a junior college
district made before that date is validated and is deemed to have been
properly made. Prohibits another district from using the name of any
district whose name change is validated under this section.  Deletes a
reference to the Texas College and University System.  Makes conforming
and nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.


 
SECTION 4. Emergency clause.