MMA S.B. 1219 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS HIGHER EDUCATION S.B. 1219 By: Patterson (Gray) 4-24-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Texas A&M University at Galveston is currently a separate system of higher education. Universities have merged with the Texas A&M University System in order to benefit from the economies of scale with regard to technology, resources, and student record-keeping among others without affecting their role, mission, or funding. Currently, the Education Code lists Texas A&M University at Galveston as "a special purpose institution of higher education" under the management and control of the Texas A&M University System board of regents. PURPOSE S.B. 1219 would authorize the Texas A&M University System board of regents to designate Texas A&M University at Galveston as a branch campus of Texas A&M University. This bill will express the agreement with and ratification by the legislature of the previous actions taken by the board of regents to designate Texas A&M University at Galveston as a branch of Texas A&M University. 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 Subsection (a), Section 87.201, Education Code, by adding language which allows the board of regents of Texas A&M University System to designate Texas A&M University at Galveston as a branch campus if such a designation does not alter the role or mission of Texas A&M University at Galveston. SECTION 2. Emergency clause.