SRC-ARR H.B. 1297 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1297 76R8558 KEL-DBy: Lewis, Ron (Bernsen) Higher Education 4/30/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Lamar University at Port Arthur and Lamar University at Orange initially received accreditation as separate institutions in 1988 and were reaccredited in1993. The current Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accreditation team for Lamar University at Beaumont has tied the changing of the names of these institutions to the reaccreditation of the Beaumont institutions because these institutions are not four-year schools. H.B. 1297 would change the names of Lamar University at Orange, Lamar University at Port Arthur, and Lamar University Institute of Technology. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1297 changes the names of Lamar University at Orange, Lamar University at Port Arthur, and Lamar University Institute of Technology. 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 96.703, Education Code, as follows: Sec. 96.703. New heading: LAMAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. Requires the Board of Regents of the State System (board) to establish and maintain an educational center of Lamar University as a separate degree-granting institution to be known as Lamar Institute of Technology. Deletes text regarding university. SECTION 2. Amends Section 96.704, Education Code, as follows: Sec. 96.704. New heading: LAMAR STATE COLLEGE--PORT ARTHUR AND LAMAR STATE COLLEGE--ORANGE. Requires the board to establish and maintain coeducational lower-division institutions of higher education as separate accredited degree-granting institutions in the counties of Jefferson and Orange to be known as Lamar State College-Port Arthur and Lamar State College--Orange. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3. Amends Sections 54.060(a), (e), and (g), Education Code, to provide that the nonresident tuition fee does not apply to certain nonresident students who register at Lamar State College--Orange, Lamar State College--Port Arthur, and Lamar Institute of Technology, rather than a two-year institution in the Lamar University System. Redefines "public technical institute." Make conforming changes. SECTION 4. Amends Section 55.1724(a), Education Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 5. Amends Section 62.021(a), Education Code, to set forth a certain formula for certain universities for funding, including Texas A&M University--Commerce and Texas A&M University-Texarkana, rather than East Texas State University including East Texas State University at Texarkana, and Rio Grande College, rather than Uvalde Center. SECTION 6. Repealer: Section 54.060(h), Education Code (regarding the governance of a two-year institution in the Lamar University System). SECTION 7. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.