HBA-MPM H.B. 1902 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1902 By: Wilson Higher Education 3/31/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, certain standardized test instruments are used to gauge a student's academic ability prior to entering a college or university. General academic teaching institutions may consider a student's score on these instruments as a factor in the admissions process. H.B. 1902 prohibits an institution from establishing a minimum score on a standardized test as a condition to admission as an undergraduate student. Furthermore, it prohibits the institution from using the score in admissions decisions, except as an indicator of academic ability. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.805, Education Code, by adding Subsection (f), as follows: (f) Prohibits a general academic teaching institution from establishing a minimum score on a standardized test as condition to admission of an undergraduate student or otherwise use the score on a standardized test in admissions decisions, except as one of various indicators of academic ability. SECTION 2. Makes this Act applicable to admissions decisions beginning with admission for the summer session of 2000. SECTION 3.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.