SRC-AAA H.B. 1820 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1820 By: Solis (Lucio) Finance 5-8-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the Texas State Technical College System is the only state-funded institution of higher education along the Texas/Mexico border that does not exempt Mexican residents from paying out-of-state tuition. Texas State Technical College (TSTC)-Harlingen has signed cooperative agreements with the two principal Mexican technical high school systems. These agreements provide the structure for exchange activities between the Mexican schools and TSTC. TSTC will be instrumental in meeting South Texas' demand for all high-tech industrial training resulting from the NAFTA agreement. H.B. 1820 allows the Texas State Technical College System and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to exempt Mexican residents from paying out-of-state tuition rates. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1820 allows the Texas State Technical College System and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to exempt Mexican residents from paying out-of-state tuition rates. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Section 54.060(d), Education Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Sections 54.060(b) and (d), Education Code, to provide that the foreign student tuition fee does not apply to certain foreign students who register at a component of the Texas State Technical College System or at the Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi. Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules regarding the transfer of students to complete a certificate or diploma. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with tuition charged for the 1997 fall semester. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.