BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 4202

87R18348 CXP-F

By: Rose (West)

 

Higher Education

 

5/14/2021

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Paul Quinn College is a liberal arts work college that was originally created to educate freed slaves and their children. Paul Quinn College currently serves as the ninth federally funded work college in the United States and the first minority serving institution in the Work Colleges Consortium. In addition, it is the first work college in Texas. A work college is a four-year degree granting institution that engages students in the purposeful integration of workforce development and community service.

 

Work colleges require all on-campus students to maintain gainful employment on or off campus throughout their college career. As a result, students experience a reduction of tuition and fees, and low amounts of debt. However, Paul Quinn College's classification as a work college limits students' ability to access the TexShare library consortium that public and private colleges and universities are able to access. The TexShare library consortium allows colleges and universities to access archived Texas records, create information networks with other universities and colleges in Texas, access public records, and assist students who struggle with reading disabilities.

 

H.B. 4202 makes work colleges eligible to access the TexShare library consortium to better serve the students at work colleges like Paul Quinn College.

 

H.B. 4202 amends current law relating to including work colleges in the TexShare library consortium.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 441.221(2), Government Code, to redefine "institution of higher education" for Subchapter M (TexShare Library Consortium) to include a work college, as defined by 20 U.S.C. Section 1087-58. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2021.