SRC-ARR S.B. 1326 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1326
By: Gallegos
State Affairs
6/29/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law provides that tuition for the University of Houston
College of Optometry may be three times the statutory undergraduate rate of
tuition. A 1999 Coordinating Board study found that student to faculty
ratios were high; and faculty salaries, tuition, and fees were low. The
college would like to reduce the student to faculty ration and increase
faculty salaries to a more competitive level.  S.B. 1326 will authorize the
University of Houston College of Optometry to increase tuition for
optometry students. 

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 1326 amends tuition charge for students of optometry at
the University of Houston College of Optometry. 

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 54.008(e), Education Code, to require the
governing board of an institution of higher education to set tuition for an
optometry program at the institution at a rate that is at least equal to
the rate prescribed by Subchapter B of this chapter, but not more than
four, rather than three, times the rate prescribed by Subchapter B of this
chapter. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
                      Effective date: upon passage.