BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 179

By: Estes

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

S.B. 179 will statutorily incorporate the service area of the part of Graham Independent School District located in Young County into the North Central Texas College District.

A branch campus maintenance tax proposal was submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for a Fall 2009 election.  The citizens overwhelmingly responded with an almost 75 percent approval vote.  This tax will provide sustainability for higher education opportunities for the community, while allowing the college to provide excellent instruction, services, and technology to this rural regional center.

As proposed, S.B. 179 amends current law relating to the service area of the North Central Texas College District.

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.  Amends Section 130.190, Education Code, as follows:

Sec. 130.190.  NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.  Provides that the service area of the North Central Texas College District includes certain territory within certain counties, including the territory within the part of the Graham Independent School District that is located in Young County.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2011.