SRC-MKV S.B. 1636 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1636
77R7091 JSA-DBy: Bernsen
Education
4/23/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

In 1998, the legislature created the State Physician Education Loan
Repayment Program (PELRP) to help address the growing shortage of
physicians practicing in rural and medically underserved areas by offering
state funds to help participating physicians repay education loans. Despite
PELRP's success in recruiting and retaining physicians to practice in rural
and underserved areas, it is facing a possible funding shortfall due to
factors including the overcommitment of funds and restrictions on how
medical schools may set aside money for PELRP.  As proposed, S.B. 1636
requires that a portion of the tuition of all medical school students be
set aside for student loan repayment assistance for certain physicians and
provides for the preparation of an annual report on PELRP.  

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 61.539, Education Code, to change a reference
from "resident students" to "each student."  Deletes a reference to Section
403.094(h), Government Code, and makes a conforming change.  Adds
Subsection (c) to set forth provisions relating to a report that the
comptroller is required to prepare relating to the number of students
registered in a medical branch, school, or college, and total amounts of
tuition charges collected by each institution. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that the change in law made by this Act applies
beginning with tuition fees charged to students registered in a medical
branch, school, or college for the 2001-2002 academic year. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.