MMA H.B. 2146 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


HIGHER EDUCATION
H.B. 2146
By: Maxey
3-19-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Hopwood v. Texas has had a dramatic impact on the number of minority
applicants to Texas universities.   

At the University of Texas, for example, applications for African-American
students are down 21 percent from last year.  At Texas A&M, undergraduate
applications for African-Americans are down 15 percent from last year, and
those from Hispanic students are down 7 percent.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2146 would require a study to track the effects of
Hopwood v. Texas on state institutions of higher education. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Section 61.080 to read as follows. 
 Sec. 61.080. CONTINUING STUDY OF MINORITY PARTICIPATION IN HIGHER
EDUCATION. 
 (a) Mandates the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to
collect data and maintain a database relating to the participation of
members of racial, ethnic, and language minority groups in this state in
public higher education, including data relating to minority applications,
recruitment, admissions, retention, graduation, and professional licensing
at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  
 (b) Mandates the board to maintain a continuous study of the data
collected under Subsection (a) and of factors affecting that data. 

SECTION 2. (a) Mandates the board to institute and coordinate a study of
the effects of recent actions on the rates at which members of racial,
ethnic, and language minority groups in this state apply for, or are
admitted to public institutions of higher education in this state. 
 (b) Requires the study to consider any identifiable factors by the board
that may have, or are affecting, those application and admission rates,
including: 
  (1) recent legal developments;
  (2) recent changes in application or student recruiting procedures by
public institutions of higher education; and 
  (3) recent changes in admissions standards or practices at public
institutions of higher education. 
 (c)  Requires the study to include recommendations for legislative or
administrative actions that may be taken to encourage or achieve greater
participation by members of racial, ethnic, and language minority groups
in higher education in this state. 
 (d)  Authorizes the board, in conducting the study, to appoint committees
to assist in planning, conducting, or analyzing the study. The board may
request the assistance of any  state agency, office, department, or
institution. Requires public institutions of higher education to cooperate
with the board in conducting the study. 
 (e)  Requires the board to report its activities and the findings of the
study to certain state officials by December 1, 1998. 
 (f)  This section expires January 1, 1999.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.