BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1671
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
According to the most recent decennial census, Hispanics make up approximately 30 percent of Texas' population, while African Americans account for about 11 percent of the state's population. These minority groups are seriously underrepresented in the faculty and administration of our public junior colleges. Furthermore, economic hardship can prevent students of any demographic group from pursuing or completing a graduate degree.
As proposed, S.B. 1671 encourages equity and promotes diversity among junior college faculty and administration by exempting certain underrepresented groups from payment of tuition in the pursuit of graduate degrees. S.B 1671 also requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to adopt rules that grant or deny exemptions under this section, including rules determining eligibility for exemptions. The proposed legislation also requires THECB to develop a uniform exemption application.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly grated to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Section 54.215, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, by adding Section 54.215, as follows:
Sec. 54.215. INDIVIDUALS UNDERREPRESENTED AMONG PUBLIC JUNIOR COLLEGE FACULTY OR ADMINISTRATION. (a) Defines "educationally disadvantaged," "low-performing campus," and "public junior college."
(b) Provides that for the purposes of this section, an individual is from a group that is underrepresented among the faculty or administration of public junior colleges if the individual falls under certain criteria.
(c) Requires the governing board of an institution of higher education to exempt from the payment of tuition a resident of this state enrolled as a graduate student at the institution who falls under certain criteria.
(d) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to adopt rules governing the granting or denial of an exemption under this section, including rules relating to the determination of eligibility for an exemption, and a uniform application form for an exemption under this section.
SECTION 2. (a) Makes application of this Act prospective to the 2006 fall semester.
(b) Requires THECB to adopt the rules and forms for the administration of Section 54.215, Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2006.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.