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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1814
77R13953 JSA-DBy: Ellis, Rodney
Education
4/27/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


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 a professional pharmacy
program, 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.  C.S.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 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 Subsections
(a) and (f), and adding Subsection (g), as follows: 

 (a)  Makes a conforming change.

(f) Adds language to require the governing board of an institution of
higher education to set tuition for a graduate or professional 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. 

(g) Requires the governing board of an institution of higher education to
set tuition for a law school 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.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Differs from original in SECTION 1 by amending Subsection (f) to add
language to require the governing board of an institution of higher
education to set tuition for a graduate or professional 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, whereas the original did not amend Subsection (f).  Changes
the language in Subsection (g) to eliminate proposed language relating to
graduate pharmacy programs.