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.