BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 532
By: Shapiro
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the governing board of a community college district sets the college's tuition and fee structure, but does not have the authority to set different tuition rates for programs and courses. By allowing the flexibility of differential tuition, community colleges would have the authority to consider tuition rates appropriate to increase completion rates, encourage efficient use of facilities, and enhance employee performance.
S.B. 532 gives the governing board of a public junior college the authority to set different tuition rates for programs, courses, or course levels offered by the institution.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 130.003(b), Education Code, to require a public junior college, to be eligible for and to receive a proportionate share of the appropriation, to follow certain guidelines including collecting, from each full-time and part-time student enrolled, matriculation and other session fees in the amount set by the governing board of the junior college district as authorized by this title.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 130.084, Education Code, as follows:
Sec. 130.084. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. Requires the governing board of a junior college district to be governed in the establishment, management, and control of a public junior college in the district by the general law governing the establishment, management, and control of independent school districts insofar as the general law is applicable.
(b) Authorizes the governing board of a junior college district to set and collect with respect to a public junior college in the district any amount of tuition, rentals, rates, charges, or fees the board considers necessary for the efficient operation of the college, except that a tuition rate set under this subsection is required to satisfy the requirements of Section 54.051(n). Authorizes the governing board to set a different tuition rate for each program, course, or course level offered by the college, including a program, course, or course level to which a provision of Section 54.051 applies, as the governing board considers appropriate to reflect course costs or to promote efficiency or another rational purpose.
SECTION 3. Makes application of Sections 130.003(b) and 130.084, Education Code, as amended by this Act, prospective to the 2005 fall semester.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.