BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2472

By: Zerwas

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to interested parties, even though the state's top 10 percent rule was intended to increase diversity at the state's general academic teaching institutions, results have been mixed. There has been improved Hispanic representation, the parties note, but at least some of the increase can be attributed to overall state population growth. H.B. 2472 seeks to provide for the continuation of the limited application of the top 10 percent rule for automatic admission at The University of Texas at Austin.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 2472 repeals Section 51.803(a-3), Education Code, which prohibits The University of Texas at Austin from limiting offers of automatic admission for an academic year after the 2017–2018 academic year by certain means to first-time resident undergraduate students who qualify for automatic admission under the state's top 10 percent rule if the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number required to fill 75 percent of the university's enrollment capacity designated for that year for first-time resident undergraduate students.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.