H.B. 1621 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1621
By: Flores
Higher Education
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 1995 the Texas Legislature authorized the boards of public community
colleges to waive tuition for high school students participating in
concurrent enrollment programs.  Since that time a limited number of
districts  have made the decision to provide the waiver.  A reason for
this limitation of participating community colleges is that the 1995
statute provides for an all or nothing decision on granting the waiver.
The 1995 statute also does not provide for the waiver of fees because of
the awkward wording of the statute. 

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 1621 amends Sections 130.008(b) and (c), Education Code, to authorize a
junior college to waive all or part of tuition and fees for a high school
student enrolled in a concurrent enrollment 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.