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.