SRC-JJJ S.B. 282 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 282 76R1051 KEL-DBy: Madla Education 3/2/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas law does not authorize automatic admission of certain students into general academic teaching institutions. S.B. 288 would grant automatic admission into general academic teaching institutions for undergraduate transfer students who graduate from a public junior college or public technical institute with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a four-point scale. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 282 establishes criteria for automatic admission of certain undergraduate transfer students. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking is granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and each general academic teaching institution in SECTION 3(b) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.801, Education Code, to define "public junior college" and "public technical institute." SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 51S, Education Code, by adding Section 51.8065, as follows: Sec. 51.8065. AUTOMATIC ADMISSION: UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER STUDENTS. Requires each general academic teaching institution to admit an applicant for admission to the institution as an undergraduate transfer student, if certain conditions are met in the year preceding the academic year for which the applicant is applying. Requires the applicant to submit an application before an expiration date or deadline, in order to qualify for admission. Authorizes the institution to review the applicant's record and any other factor the institution considers appropriate to determine whether the applicant may require additional course work, or would benefit from inclusion in a retention program. Authorizes the institution to require a student to enroll in the summer to participate in enrichment courses and orientation programs. Provides that this section does not prohibit a student who is not determined to need additional preparation for college-level work from enrolling, if the student chooses, during the summer immediately after the student is admitted under this section. SECTION 3. (a) Establishes that the change in law made by this Act applies beginning with admissions for the 2000 fall semester. (b) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and each general academic institution to adopt rules or policies relating to the admission of students under Section 51.8065, Education Code, as added by this Act, no later than January 1, 2000. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.