SRC-AAA H.B. 1795 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1795 By: Kamel (Ratliff) Finance 5-7-97 Engrossed DIGEST The University of Texas at Tyler is currently an upper-level institution, offering junior, senior, and graduate courses to approximately 3,500 students. Recognized as a broad spectrum liberal arts university, UT Tyler serves students from many Texas counties as well as other states and foreign countries. H.B. 1795 authorizes UT Tyler to offer undergraduate programs at the freshman and sophomore levels as well as junior and senior levels. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1795 1795 authorizes University of Texas at Tyler to offer undergraduate programs at the freshman and sophomore levels as well as junior and senior levels. 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 Section 76.02, Education Code, to require the University of Texas at Tyler (UT-Tyler) to offer certain programs subject to the authority of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board). Deletes text regarding an exception to this section and the Texas College and University System. Prohibits UT-Tyler from offering a lower division course off campus of the institution until the fall semester of 2001. Deletes text regarding courses as a part of a partnership agreement. Provides that enrollment limits in Section 76.026 do not apply. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 76, Education Code, by adding Sections 76.025 and 76.026, as follows: Sec. 76.025. UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS. Sets forth requirements for university admissions at UT-Tyler. Requires the board of regents of the University of Texas system to adopt certain admission standards for first-time freshman by January 1, 2000. Provides that this section expires January 1, 2001. Sec. 76.026. ENROLLMENT LIMITS. Sets forth requirements for enrollment limits. Prohibits UT-Tyler from admitting a student as a freshman before the 1998 summer session. Provides that this section expires January 1, 2003. SECTION 3. Amends Section 76.07, Education Code, to delete existing Subsections (c) and (d), regarding lower-division courses. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 4. Requires the board to prepare an impact statement regarding the implementation of this Act and deliver it to certain entities. SECTION 5. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.