SRC-ARR C.S.H.B. 1297 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 1297
76R14425 KEL-DBy: Lewis, Ron (Bernsen)
Higher Education
5/4/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


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.
C.S.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, C.S.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.
Provides that a reference in state law to Lamar University at Port Arthur
means Lamar State College--Port Arthur. Provides that a reference in law to
Lamar University at Orange means 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, 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 61.003, Education Code, by amending Subdivisions
(3), (7) and (8) and by adding Subdivision (16), to redefine "general
academic teaching institution" and  "public technical institute." Defines
"public state college." 

 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. 

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 2. 

Amends Section 96.704, Education Code, by adding a new Subsection (f), to
provide that a reference in state law to Lamar University at Port Arthur
means Lamar State College--Port Arthur. Provides that a reference in law to
Lamar University at Orange means Lamar State College--Orange. Makes
conforming changes.  

SECTION 3. 

Amends Sections 54.060, Education Code, to delete text regarding Lamar
Institute of Technology. Makes conforming changes.  

SECTION 5. 

Deletes proposed changes to Section 62.021(a), Education Code, regarding a
formula for funding. Amends Section 61.003, Education Code, by amending
Subdivisions (3), (7) and (8) and by adding Subdivision (16), to redefine
"general academic teaching institution" and "public technical institute."
Defines "public state college."