SRC-MKV S.B. 1814 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1814
77R12887 JSA-DBy: Ellis, Rodney
Education
4/24/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law allows each university system board of regents to set a tuition
rate for graduate programs and professional pharmacy programs at a level
two times the rate specified in statute.  For professional pharmacy, this
results in a tuition rate of $80 per semester credit hour.  Law programs
are able to set rates at $160 per semester credit hour.  Concerns have been
raised regarding the sufficiency of the current rates and the ability of
Texas professional pharmacy and law programs to remain competitive with
other nationally-recognized programs.  As proposed, S.B. 1814 amends
current law to allow each board of regents to set a rate of tuition for law
and professional pharmacy programs at a level three times that specified in
statute.  The bill is permissive and does not mandate such a change in
fees.   

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 54.008, Education Code, by amending Subsection
(a) and adding Subsection (g), as follows: 

 (a)  Makes a conforming change.

(g) Requires the governing board of an institution of higher education to
set tuition for a law school or graduate pharmacy program at the
institution at a rate that is at least equal to the rate prescribed by
Subchapter B but not more than three times the rate prescribed by
Subchapter B. 

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