HBA-LJP C.S.H.B. 400 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 400
By: Giddings
Higher Education
4/6/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND 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.  C.S.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

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

C.S.H.B. 400 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to administer and coordinate the
Higher Education Assistance Pilot Program if the legislature appropriates
money specifically for the program.  If money is not appropriated by the
legislature for that purpose, THECB is authorized to implement the program
using other appropriations available for that purpose.  The bill requires
THECB, through the program, to provide prospective students in three
regions of this state with low postsecondary enrollment rates as determined
by THECB with assistance in filling out applications and with information
on admissions, enrollment, and financial aid at higher education
institutions.  The bill requires that the information be provided at least
twice each year at one or more appropriate locations in each region served
by the program.  The bill also authorizes THECB to coordinate with higher
education institutions or other entities to provide the required
information and assistance.  No later than at the expiration of the program
on August 31, 2003, THECB is required to submit to the legislature a report
on the program's effectiveness and recommendations on whether to implement
the program statewide. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 400 modifies the original to change the service areas of the
Higher Education Assistance Pilot Program from the cities of Dallas and
Houston and the counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy to three
regions of this state with low postsecondary enrollment rates as determined
by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.