BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1813
	By: Buckingham
	Higher Education
	7/27/2017
	Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Students applying to certain institutions of higher education (IHEs) in Texas utilize the Apply-TEXAS application process. This process allows students to fill out one uniform application online and submit it to participating universities through the website. Currently, the Apply-Texas application is used by all public universities as well as a number of private institutions in Texas. Uniformity in the process has allowed students to better prepare for their application and devote time to one application rather than repeating the process for each school.

 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is responsible for administering the Apply-TEXAS application. To oversee this process, THECB has created an advisory committee, which is currently comprised of representatives from general academic teaching institutions, junior college districts, public state colleges, and public technical institutions. However, interested parties have suggested that the current structure of the committee would benefit by expanding the committee to include additional stakeholder representatives.

 

To address this issue, S.B. 1813 seeks the inclusion of high school counselors and a representative from a private or independent IHE in the advisory committee. (Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

S.B. 1813 amends current law relating to the adoption of common admission application forms for institutions of higher education.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordination Board is modified in SECTION 2 (Section 51.762, Education Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.761, Education Code, to define "private or independent institution of higher education."

 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 51.762(a), Education Code, as follows:

 

(a) Provides that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, with the assistance of high school counselors and an advisory committee composed of representatives of certain academic institutions, including private or independent institutions of higher education (IHEs), and with the consultation of all IHEs that admit freshmen-level students is required to adopt certain rules relating to an online and printed common application form.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.