SRC-MKV C.S.H.B. 2531 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 2531 By: Junell (Bivins) Education 5/8/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Tuition paid by the students at public institutions of higher education is used to improve the quality of education for all students. For this goal to be achieved, tuition rates may need to be increased to keep up with rising educational costs. C.S.H.B. 2531 increases tuition for resident students at general academic teaching institutions over a 5-year period. 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 54.051(c) , Education Code, to change the amount of tuition for a resident student at a general academic teaching institution from "$120 for each semester or 12 week summer session and $60 for each six week summer term or $40 per semester credit hour" to "$50 per semester credit hour." SECTION 2. Amends Section 54.0512, Education Code, to delete references to tuition rates for the 1994-1995 through the 1999-2000 academic years. Adds language to provide the tuition rates for the 2001-2002 through the 2005-2006 academic years. Deletes language relating to tuition rates for a resident student enrolled in a program leading to an M.D. or O.D. degree. Provides that this section expires January 1, 2008. SECTION 3. Amends Section 54.0513(b), Education Code, to add language relating to tuition not to exceed the amount charged under Section 54.051 or 54.0512, as applicable. Deletes language relating to previous limits on the tuition amounts. SECTION 4. Amends Chapter 54B, Education Code, by adding Section 54.069, as follows: Sec. 54.069. BILLING AND NOTIFICATION FOR TUITION. Requires each governing board, for billing and catalogue purposes, to accumulate all the tuition that it charges under this subchapter into one tuition charge. SECTION 5. Amends Section 56.053(a), Education Code, to add language prohibiting the maximum loan amount per student from being less than an amount equal to the tuition and required fees for the courses in which the student is actually enrolling, unless the institution determines that a lower amount would be in the best interest of the student. SECTION 6. Provides that this Act applies beginning with tuition charged imposed for the fall semester, 2001. SECTION 7. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.