SRC-JJJ S.B. 975 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 975
76R5036 CAG-FBy: Armbrister
Jurisprudence
4/15/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Due to a recent judicial decision, community colleges have become exposed
to lawsuits for issues from which they were previously immune unless the
legislature had passed a resolution granting permission to sue.  S.B. 975
would establish the sovereign immunity and liability to be sued of a junior
college.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 975 establishes the sovereign immunity and liability to
be sued of a junior college district.  

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 Chapter 130E, Education Code, by adding Section
130.0841, as follows: 

Sec. 130.0841.  GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY.  Provides that a junior college
district and the governing board of a junior college  district are immune
from suit, and may sue and be sued, in the same manner as a general
academic teaching institution and the governing board of a general academic
teaching institution.  Defines "general academic teaching institution" and
"governing board."  

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.