SRC-AXB H.B. 2867 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2867 By: Dunnam (West) Education 5/3/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, some of Texas' brightest high school students choose to leave Texas to attend colleges and universities. It is suspected that a reason for this exodus lies in Texas' inability to compete with other states regarding the scholastic awards they are able offer. HB. 2867 creates provisions which allow Texas to offer matching scholarships to its high school graduates. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2867 creates provisions which allow Texas to retain its high school graduates in its higher education institutions by matching scholarships offered to these students by out-of-state institutions. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Sections 61.086(a), Education Code), of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 61C, Education Code, by adding Section 61.086, as follows: Sec. 61.086. MATCHING SCHOLARSHIPS TO RETAIN STUDENTS IN TEXAS. Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to adopt rules that allow certain education institutions to use certain funds to match certain awards received by a Texas high school graduate from an out-of-state institution of higher education. Prohibits the board from requiring an institution to match a scholarship or grant offer. SECTION 2. (a) Requires the board to adopt rules relating to matching scholarships by September 1, 1999. (b) Requires the board to report on the initial implementation of this Act by December 31, 2000. Sets forth report requirements. Requires the board to deliver the report to the presiding officer of the standing committee on higher education in each house of the legislature. SECTION 3.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.