SRC-MWN H.B. 1753 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1753
77R9003 KEL-DBy: Gutierrez (Zaffirini)
Education
4/3/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, South Texas Community College (STCC) is the only institution of
higher education in Starr County. The nearest four-year university is The
University of Texas-Pan American which is 60 miles away. As proposed, H.B.
1753 authorizes the University of Texas-Pan American to establish an
upper-division extension campus in Rio Grande City and enter into a
partnership agreement with a junior college district for lower-division
courses. 

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 Section 77.12, Education Code, by adding Subsections (d)
and (e), to read as follows:  

(d) Authorizes the University of Texas--Pan American (university) to enter
into a partnership agreement with the South Texas Community College
District in the manner authorized by Chapter 51N, providing for the
district to offer the lower-division courses required for students admitted
to a baccalaureate degree program at the university. Requires the
university to provide for students admitted to a baccalaureate degree
program who enroll in the community college for lower-division courses
under the degree program to transfer automatically to the university on
successful completion of the required lower-division course work. 

(e) Authorizes the university to establish an extension campus at Rio
Grande City to offer the upper-division courses required for students
enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at the university. 
 
SECTION 2. Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, not
later than May 31, 2002, to prepare an impact statement examining the
initial implementation of this Act and to deliver a copy of the statement
to certain persons. 

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