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.