BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1150
By: Hinojosa
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The industrial activities in the Corpus Christi area have grown in the past decade, particularly those industries associated with the Port of Corpus Christi. The nature of these industries have become more technical and require greater educational and industrial expertise. Jobs in these industries now require employees to obtain advanced education rather than on-site training. The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies has programs that require researchers with engineering capabilities, and Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi wishes to implement an engineering program to complement its growth.
As proposed, S.B. 1150 authorizes the board of regents of the Texas A&M University System to establish a school of engineering at Texas A&M University Corpus--Christi.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 87, Education Code, by adding Section 87.403, as follows:
Sec. 87.403. SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System (board) to establish and operate a school of engineering as a professional school of Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi.
(b) Authorizes the board to prescribe courses leading to customary degrees offered at other leading American schools of engineering and to award those degrees in administering the engineering school.
(c) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to prepare a feasibility study to determine the actions the system must take to obtain accreditation of the engineering school before the board establishes an engineering school under this section, but not later than June 1, 2008. Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to deliver a copy of the study to the chair of each legislative standing committee or subcommittee with jurisdiction over higher education.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.