SRC-CTC H.B. 2840 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2840
By: Telford (Staples)
Education
4/24/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

For many years, the residents of Texarkana have attempted to bring a
four-year academic institution to their city.  Texarkana currently has
Texas A&M University-Texarkana, established by the legislature in 1971 as
an upper level university serving junior, senior, and graduate students,
and Texarkana College, a two-year public community college.  As proposed,
H.B. 2840 
authorizes the  establishment of a partnership agreement between Texas A&M
University-Texarkana and the Texarkana College District and allows a
student enrolled at Texarkana College to simultaneously enroll at Texas A&M
University-Texarkana as long as the student meets the requirements for
enrollment.  

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 87.571, Education Code, as follows:

Sec. 87.571.  New heading: ESTABLISHMENT; POWERS AND DUTIES.  Provides that
Texas A&M University - Texarkana (university), rather than East Texas State
University at Texarkana, is a coeducational upper-level institution of
higher education located in the City of Texarkana.  Authorizes the
university to enter into a partnership agreement with Texarkana College
District in the manner authorized by Chapter 51N.  Authorizes a student
enrolled at Texarkana College to be simultaneously enrolled at the
university as long as the student meets the requirements for enrollment at
the university. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.