SRC-CTC H.B. 3303 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3303 By: Counts (Haywood) Education 5/10/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the City of Haskell receives two-year college services from the Vernon Regional Junior College District, but does not have a college that can offer a full four-year degree program. It may be advantageous to have a college that offers a four-year degree program for people who are not able to afford to leave a job and take courses towards a degree in another city. However, for the City of Haskell to attract the services of an accredited four-year college, it may need to end its relationship with Vernon Regional Junior College. H.B. 3303 removes Haskell County from the Vernon Regional Junior College District Service Area. 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 130.207, Education Code, by adding Subsection (b), to provide that Haskell County, notwithstanding Subsection (a), is not included in the service area of the Vernon Regional Junior College District. Provides that this subsection expires September 1, 2005. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective to the beginning of the 2001 fall semester, except that during the 2001-2002 academic year a junior college district whose service area is changed by this Act may continue to treat an area removed by this Act from the district's service area as if the area were still in the district's service are a as necessary to avoid an unreasonable interruption of junior college services in the area. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.