78R4645 JSA-D

By:  Wilson                                                       H.B. No. 1212



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to limitations on the number of foreign students who may be 
enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program at a public 
institution of higher education.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 51.9091 to read as follows:
	Sec. 51.9091.  FOREIGN STUDENT ENROLLMENT IN GRADUATE AND 
PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS.  (a)  In this section, "institution of 
higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
	(b)  The number of students enrolled in a graduate or 
professional degree program offered by an institution of higher 
education who are not citizens of the United States and who are 
present in the United States under a visa or other federal 
immigration status that does not permit the student to establish 
permanent residence in the United States may not exceed the greater 
of:
		(1)  10 percent of the total number of students 
enrolled in the degree program; or
		(2)  one student, if the total number of students 
enrolled in the degree program is less than 10.
	(c)  For a degree program to which this section applies that 
does not comply with Subsection (b) as of the 2003 fall semester, 
the institution that offers the degree program must ensure that the 
portion of students initially enrolled in the degree program in 
each academic year who are foreign students described by Subsection 
(b) does not exceed 10 percent until the degree program complies 
with Subsection (b).
	SECTION 2.  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.