SRC-JRN H.B. 3356 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3356 By: Rangel (Barrientos) Education 5-2-97 Engrossed DIGEST In the 74th Legislative Session, H.B. 1479 created the Early High School Graduation Scholarship Program. Because the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) is directed to reimburse institutions of higher education for scholarships it grants before receiving funds to cover this reimbursement from the commissioner of education, the board does not have funds appropriated for purposes of reimbursement. This bill requires the commissioner of education to transfer funds to the board for the Foundation School Program in an amount sufficient to pay each eligible institution of higher education the amount of state tuition credit applied by the institution. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 3356 requires the commissioner of education to transfer funds to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the Foundation School Program in an amount sufficient to pay each eligible institution of higher education the amount of state tuition credit applied by the institution. 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 56.207, Education Code, as follows: Sec. 56.207. PAYMENT OF TUITION CREDIT. Deletes a provision requiring the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to distribute to an eligible institution of higher education the amount of the state tuition credit applied by the institution, on receipt of a report from an institution under Section 56.206(c). Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner) to transfer to the board, from funds appropriated for the Foundation School Program, an amount sufficient to pay each eligible institution of higher education the amount of state tuition credit applied by the institution during the period covered by the report. Deletes a provision requiring the commissioner to transfer an amount sufficient to reimburse the board for amounts disbursed in payment of state tuition credits. Requires the board to distribute the appropriate amount of funds to each eligible institution when the board receives the funds under Subsection (b). Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.