79(R) HB 1172 Enrolled version

The bill would require the president of each general academic teaching institution to annually provide, no later than November 1 of each year, to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board a report describing the institution's efforts regarding timely graduation of undergraduate students.

The bill would reduce the undergraduate funding cap and allow universities to charge non-resident tuition to students who exceed the funding cap. The current funding cap is 45 semester credit hours (SCH) above the degree requirement; the new funding cap would be 30 hours. The bill also directs the degree length to include minors, double majors, certificates, special programs, and study-abroad programs. The bill would only apply to those students who initially enroll as an undergraduate student in the Fall 2006.

It is assumed that the duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.

The bill, as amend, would create a work-study student mentorship program at certain institutions of higher education. The bill changes the requirements regarding satisfactory academic progress after the initial academic year, requires a student to complete at least 24 semester credit hours in the student’s most recent academic year and earn an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale in all previously attempted coursework at the institution for continued TEXAS grant eligibility.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


May 25, 2005

TO:	Honorable Tom Craddick, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives

FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB1172 by Brown, Fred (Relating to policies and measures to promote timely graduation of students from public institutions of higher education. ), As Passed 2nd House