SRC-CTC H.B. 400 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 400
By: Giddings (Van de Putte)
Education
5/4/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Individual public institutions of higher education independently distribute
pertinent information to prospective students to ensure that the students
and their parents understand the benefits of higher education and the
necessary steps to prepare for college.  However, current law does not 
provide for a public program to distribute such information, which may help
increase the admission and enrollment of students in Texas institutions of
higher education.  H.B. 400 creates the Higher Education Assistance Pilot
Program to provide prospective students with assistance and information on
admissions and enrollment at institutions of higher education.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 61C, Education Code, by adding Section 61.088,
as follows: 

Sec. 61.088.  HIGHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM.  Requires the
Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to administer and coordinate
the Higher Education Assistance Pilot Program to aid prospective students
in taking actions relating to enrollment in public or private or
independent institutions of higher education.  Requires the board to
provide the information and assistance required by this section at least
twice each year at one or more appropriate locations in each area served by
the pilot program.  Authorizes the board to coordinate with an institution
of higher education or other entity to provide the information and
assistance required by this section in each area served by the pilot
program. Requires the board, not later than August 31, 2003, to submit to
the legislature a report on the effectiveness of the pilot program,
including recommendations on whether to implement the program on a
statewide basis.  Provides that the pilot program ends and this section
expires August 31, 2003. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that the board is required to implement this Act only
if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose.
Authorizes the board, if the legislature does not appropriate money
specifically for that purpose, to implement this Act using other
appropriations available for the purpose. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.