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.