SRC-MKV S.C.R. 56 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.C.R. 56
By: Barrientos
Education
5/10/2001
As Filed


DIGEST

Approximately forty percent of all students in Texas leave high school
before completing the 12th grade. The dropout problem is costing the state
$319 billion in lost income to individuals, in lost tax revenues, and in
increased job training, welfare, unemployment, and criminal justice costs.
The enormity of the dropout problem has ominous implications for the future
of Texas, considering that 67 percent of the inmates in Texas prisons are
dropouts and that the poverty rate among high school dropouts is estimated
at 31 percent, 10 times the poverty rate of college graduates. 

PURPOSE 


S.C.R. 56 proposes the following resolutions:

Provides that the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby establishes
a special interim committee to study the problem of high school dropouts in
Texas.  Provides that the interim study committee be named the Joint
Special Committee on High School Dropouts.  Sets forth the composition of
the committee.  Requires the committee to meet initially at the joint call
of the cochairs and to subsequently hold meetings and public hearings at
the call of the cochairs. Provides that the committee shall have the power
to issue process as provided by the senate and house of representatives
rules of procedure and by Section 301.024, Government Code. Provides that
the committee shall have all other powers and duties provided to special
committees by the senate and house of representatives rules of procedure,
by Chapter 301B, Government Code, and by policies of the committees on
administration.  Provides that, from the contingent expense fund of the
senate and the contingent expense fund of the house of representatives
equally, the members of the committee be reimbursed for expenses incurred
in carrying out the provisions of this resolution in accordance with the
senate and house of representatives rules of procedure and the policies of
the committees on administration and that other necessary expenses of
operation be paid from the contingent expense fund of the senate and the
contingent expense fund of the house of representatives equally.  Provides
that the interim study committee make a complete report, including findings
and recommendations and drafts of any legislation considered necessary, to
the 78th Legislature when it convenes in January 2003; five copies of the
completed report shall be filed in the Legislative Reference Library; five
copies shall be filed with the Texas Legislative Council; two copies shall
be filed with the secretary of the senate; and two copies shall be filed
with the speaker of the house of representatives; following official
distribution of the committee report, all remaining copies shall be
deposited with the legislative reference librarian.