BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 100
80R1490 CAS-D By: Shapiro
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Varying rates on tuition and fees at public universities in Texas have made it difficult for students and parents to financially plan for college. The variance in tuition and fees can be subject to change during a student's enrollment as well. To alleviate this situation, certain public universities in Texas have begun to freeze tuition and mandatory fees when a student enters a university subject to the length of a student's education program.
As proposed, S.B. 100 prohibits an increase in tuition and fees charged to a student entering a public university during that student's enrollment, with exceptions.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 54, Education Code, by adding Section 54.016, as follows:
Sec 54.016. TUITION STABILIZATION. (a) Defines "coordinating board" and "general academic teaching institution."
(b) Sets forth students to whom this section applies.
(c) Provides that this section applies only to the amount of tuition charged under this chapter (Tuition and Fees) to a student enrolled in a four-year degree program on or before the fourth anniversary of the date the student first enrolls in a general academic teaching institution, or for a student enrolled in a degree program, not later than the standard completion period for that program, as established by the general academic teaching institution (institution) awarding the degree.
(d) Prohibits an institution from charging tuition at a rate in excess of the tuition charged during that student's freshman year.
(e) Prohibits an institution transferred into by a student from charging a tuition rate that exceeds the rate in effect during that student's freshman year.
(f) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to adopt rules necessary to administer this section, including certain rules.
(g) Requires THECB to adopt rules necessary to allow a student to pay the rates as provided above if the student satisfies this section but is unable to remain enrolled because of hardship. Sets forth certain conditions under which a student is considered to have a hardship.
(h) Provides that this section does not apply to students who enter an institution before the 2007 fall semester. Provides that this subsection expires January 1, 2013.
SECTION 2. Requires the THECB to adopt rules as soon as possible after the passage of this Act. Authorizes THECB to adopt preliminary rules provided by law for emergency rules.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.