H.B. 757 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 757 By: Giddings Higher Education Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Higher Education Assistance Pilot Program was established to provide prospective students assistance in completing applications related to enrollment at institutions of higher education, including admissions and financial aid applications. Currently, the program targets three areas of the state that have the lowest college attendance rates. House Bill 757 will make permanent the pilot program in order to provide assistance with information, admissions, and enrollment at institutions of higher education. 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 HB 757 will make permanent the Higher Education Assistance Pilot Program and rename it as the Higher Education Assistance Program. Provides that not later than December 1 of each evennumbered year, the board shall submit to the legislature a report on the effectiveness of the program. 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, and has the effect of reenacting, amending, and renumbering Section 61.088, Education Code, as added by Chapter 795, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001.