BILL ANALYSIS
By: Strama
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Current law restricts lowering tuition for students who demonstrate financial need if they live within a school district that could meet the criteria of establishing their own community college district. A change to the Education Code would enable public junior colleges and community colleges to reduce tuition for all out-of-district students who live in the service area and can demonstrate financial need. This change would also reduce discrimination for students who may be in need but who also reside within the boundaries of a large school district.
HB 544 eliminates existing language in the statute and allows public junior colleges and community colleges to reduce tuition for all out of district students who live in the service area and can demonstrate financial need.
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
SECTION 1: Section 130.0032 (c) of the Education Code is amended to eliminate existing language. Provides that public junior colleges may reduce tuition for all out-of-district students who live in the service area and can demonstrate financial need.
SECTION 2: The change in law made by this Act applies beginning with tuition and fees for the 2007 fall semester. Tuition and fees for a term or semester before the 2007 fall semester are covered by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3: Effective date.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.