BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3659

By: Reynolds

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to interested parties, certain educational reform reports have stressed the need for increased cooperation between educational institutions to address problems like high dropout rates, a workforce lacking the job skills needed by high-tech industries, and the absence of clearly defined career goals among high school and college students. The parties contend that collaboration between high schools and community colleges helps to prepare students for higher achievement in college. Interested parties report that the students of Fort Bend Independent School District would benefit from such collaboration with the Houston Community College System. H.B. 3659 seeks to accommodate this collaboration.

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. 3659 amends the Education Code to include the territory within the part of the Fort Bend Independent School District that is located in the municipalities of Houston and Pearland, in addition to Missouri City, in the service area of the Houston Community College System District.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.