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.