HBA-AMW C.S.H.B. 2840 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 2840
By: Telford
Higher Education
4/4/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND 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 twoyear public community college.  C.S.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

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. 2840 amends the Education Code to authorize Texas A&M
University-Texarkana (university) to enter into a partnership agreement
with the Texarkana College District in the manner authorized by the
provisions regarding partnerships between community or junior colleges and
upper-level universities or centers.  The bill 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.   

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. 2840 removes the provision in the original bill that authorizes
Texas A&M University-Texarkana to offer freshman or sophomore programs
under certain conditions.