BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1053

By: Patrick, Diane

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board exempts from the payment of tuition and fees a student who is enrolled in one or more courses as part of a fire science curriculum. However, institutions of higher education interpret the definition of fire science courses and the scope of fire science curriculum differently from institution to institution.

H.B. 1053 seeks to address this issue by requiring the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to form an advisory committee, composed of members from institutions of higher education, experts in the fire sciences, and firefighters, to develop recommendations for the implementation of the tuition exemption, including a determination of the definition and scope of fire science curriculum.

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. 1053 amends the Education Code to add a temporary provision, set to expire January 1, 2013, to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish an advisory committee to develop recommendations for the implementation of the tuition exemption for students enrolled in courses offered as part of a fire science curriculum offered by an institution of higher education under provisions exempting certain firefighters and peace officers from the payment of certain tuition and fees, including a determination of the definition and scope of fire science curriculum. The bill requires the advisory committee to be composed of members from institutions of higher education, experts in the fire sciences, and firefighters and authorizes the advisory committee to request the cooperation and assistance of state agencies in preparing recommendations under the bill's provisions. The bill requires the advisory committee, not later than September 1, 2012, to issue a report of its recommendations to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, each standing committee of the legislature with jurisdiction over higher education, and the coordinating board.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.