HBA-BSM H.B. 234 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 234 By: Hawley Higher Education 7/25/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Generally, a person seeking to enter a public institution of higher education as an undergraduate student is required to take the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test. Some colleges and universities located in the vicinity of military installations have expressed a need and a desire to enroll military personnel in their institutions, but found that some of these potential students would not even attempt to enroll when they find out they have to take the TASP test. House Bill 234 exempts a student serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States from being required to take the TASP test or, as appropriate, the Stanford Achievement Test. 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. ANALYSIS House Bill 234 amends the Education Code to exempt a student serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States from participating in the Texas Academic Skills Program. The bill also exempts deaf students serving in such a capacity from taking the Stanford Achievement Test. EFFECTIVE DATE May 24, 2001. The Act applies beginning with the 2001 fall semester.