MMA S.B. 1044 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS HIGHER EDUCATION S.B. 1044 By: Truan (Rangel) 4-24-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, Texas A&M University--Kingsville is named to reflect its affiliation with one of the largest systems of higher education. The institution was chartered by the Texas Legislature as South Texas Normal School in 1917 and opened as South Texas State Teachers College in 1925. In 1967 the institution was granted university status and the name changed to Texas A&I University. The university, in 1972, became the nucleus for the creation of the University System of South Texas (USST) which was composed of Texas A&I, Corpus Christi State University, and Laredo State University. In 1989, USST was dissolved and the institutions were transferred into the Texas A&M University System. PURPOSE S.B. 1044 would change current statutes to reflect the name of Texas A&I University to Texas A&M University--Kingsville and makes other corrective changes. 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. Amends the heading to Subchapter D, Chapter 87, Education Code, as follows: SUBCHAPTER D. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY--KINGSVILLE SECTION 2. Amends Section 87.301, Education Code, by replacing all references to the Texas A&I University with Texas A&M University--Kingsville. SECTION 3. Amends Subdivision (1), Section 51.502, Education Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 4. Amends Subdivision (3), Section 61.003, Education Code, to redefine "general academic teaching institution" to reflect university name changes and makes conforming changes. SECTION 5. Amends Subsection (c), Section 85.70, Education Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 6. Amends Section 52.291, Natural Resources Code, by deleting a reference to the Board of Directors of Texas A&I University. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 7. Amends Subsection (e), Section 12.1105, Parks and Wildlife Code, by deleting text to make conforming changes. SECTION 8. (a) Provides that a reference in law to Texas A&I University means Texas A&M University--Kingsville. (b) Provides that an appropriation for the use and benefit of Texas A&I University is available for the use and benefit of Texas A&M University--Kingsville. SECTION 9. Emergency clause.