SRC-JLB H.B. 1566 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1566
78R1857 JRJ-DBy: Telford (Ratliff)
Subcommittee on Higher Education
5/16/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Community leaders in Texarkana have decided that the most effective way to
ensure increased access to baccalaureate degree programs in Texarkana is
to expand Texas A&M University-Texarkana to a full four-year university.
H.B. 1566 allows Texas A&M University-Texarkana to offer lower-division
courses but does not require it to do so in any year that the legislature
fails to appropriate funds. 

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 Sections 87.571(a) and (b), Education Code, as follows:
 
(a)  Provides that Texas A&M University--Texarkana is a coeducational,
rather than coeducational upper-level, institution of higher education
located in the City of Texarkana. 

(b)  Provides that the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System
(board) has the same powers and duties concerning the university as are
conferred on the board by law concerning Texas A&M University.  Authorizes
the university to offer, rather than prohibits it from offering,
lower-division courses, but provides that it is not required to do so in
any academic year for which the legislature does not appropriate money
specifically for that purpose.  Deletes text prohibiting the university
from offering freshman or sophomore programs. 

SECTION 2.  Repealer:  Section 87.571(c) (Authorizing A&M-Texarkana to
enter into a partnership with the Texarkana College District), Education
Code. 
 
SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.