1-1     By:  Carona                                            S.B. No. 149
 1-2           (In the Senate - Filed December 6, 2000; January 11, 2001,
 1-3     read first time and referred to Committee on Education;
 1-4     February 8, 2001, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas
 1-5     7, Nays 0; February 8, 2001, sent to printer.)
 1-6                            A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-7                                   AN ACT
 1-8     relating to the colleges and universities eligible to participate
 1-9     in the tuition equalization grant program.
1-10           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-11           SECTION 1.  Sections 61.221 and 61.222, Education Code, are
1-12     amended to read as follows:
1-13           Sec. 61.221.  TUITION EQUALIZATION GRANTS AUTHORIZED.  In
1-14     order to provide the maximum possible utilization of existing
1-15     educational resources and facilities within this state, both public
1-16     and private, the coordinating board [Coordinating Board, Texas
1-17     College and University System,] is authorized to provide tuition
1-18     equalization grants to Texas residents enrolled in any approved
1-19     private Texas college or university, based on student financial
1-20     need, but not to exceed a grant amount of more than that specified
1-21     in the appropriation by the legislature.
1-22           Sec. 61.222.  APPROVED INSTITUTIONS.  The coordinating board
1-23     shall approve only those private or independent colleges or[,]
1-24     universities that are private or independent institutions of higher
1-25     education as defined by Section 61.003 or[, associations, agencies,
1-26     institutions, and facilities as] are located within this state
1-27     and[, which] meet the same program standards and accreditation as
1-28     [comparable to] public institutions of higher education as
1-29     determined by the board.
1-30           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
1-31                                  * * * * *