SRC-AAA S.B. 666 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 666
By: Barrientos
Finance
4-1-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, to qualify for federal financial aid and loans, graduate
students must register for nine hours.  The nine hours are really empty
hours; the students attend no classes.  However, upon finishing their
organized course work, graduate students must often complete either a
dissertation, report, or thesis. S.B. 666 exempts the payment of tuition
fees for graduate students who have completed their organized work and are
working on their dissertation, report, or thesis.  Additionally, these
students would be provided with health insurance. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 666 exempts the payment of tuition fees for a graduate
student who meets certain provisions. 

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 54.063, Education Code, to authorize an
assistant instructor or the children and spouse of an assistant instructor
of any institution of higher education to pay tuition and fees as Texas
residents.  Requires the governing board of an institution of higher
education to exempt from the payment of tuition fees a graduate student
who meets certain provisions.  Sets forth the conditions under which a
student is considered to be enrolled as a full-time student.  Provides
that a student exempt under Subsection (b) is exempt from payment of a fee
for the use of a health center. Requires the legislature to compute local
funds available to each institution as if the tuition fees were collected
by the institution.  Defines "general academic teaching institution." 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 51Z, Education Code, by adding Section 51.9085,
as follows: 

Sec. 51.9085. HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CERTAIN GRADUATE STUDENT EMPLOYEES.
Sets forth requirements under which certain full-time students are
permitted to participate in group health insurance provided to full-time
employees of the institution. 

SECTION 3. Provides that the change in the law made by this Act applies
beginning with the 1997 fall semester. 

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.