BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1568

By: Gonzales

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

South Texas College in McAllen, Texas, is exploring the possibility of waiving tuition and fees for its employees. However, current law restricts a community college in Texas from waiving such tuition and fees, although a four-year university is allowed to do so.

H.B. 1568 authorizes a community college, with the approval of its governing board, to waive tuition and fees for its district employees.  The bill will promote an increase in the education attainment level of community college employees without an increased cost to the state.

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

H.B. 1568 amends the Education Code to authorize the governing board of a junior college district to exempt a district employee who enrolls in courses offered by the district from the payment of all or part of the tuition and fees charged to a student at a junior college by the district.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.