H.B. 577 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 577
By: King
Higher Education
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

For more than 30 years, Weatherford College has been offering classes in
Granbury, which is located in Hood County.   Currently,  Hood County is
one of only fifteen counties in the state not included in a community
college district, yet Hood County residents make up nearly 12 percent of
the college's total student enrollment.  More specifically, slightly more
than 74 percent of Hood County students enrolled in two-year colleges last
fall attended Weatherford College.  HB 577 would extend Weatherford
College District service area to include Hood county. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 130.209, Education Code to extend the
Weatherford College District service area to include Hood county. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that the Act takes immediate effect upon passage, or,
if the Act does not receive the  necessary vote, the Act takes effect
September 1, 2003. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of
all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article
III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary
for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003 


EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS