BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 875

By: Harrison

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Texas State Technical College (TSTC) opened its campus in Red Oak, Texas, as an extension center and then as a campus. TSTC offers eight programs at the campus, electrical power and controls, precision machining technology, industrial systems technology, welding technology, HVAC technology, diesel equipment technology, cybersecurity, and computer systems networking and administration. In light of growing workforce demand in the region, the independent school districts in Midlothian and Waxahachie and the economic development corporation in Midlothian have expressed interest in having TSTC operate additional sites in Ellis County that are closer to their schools and local businesses. TSTC's statutory authorization to operate the North Texas campus allows TSTC to operate only one site, which must be located in the city of Red Oak. TSTC has no statutory authority to operate a site in Waxahachie, Midlothian, or elsewhere in Ellis County.

H.B. 875 seeks to authorize TSTC to operate multiple sites in Ellis County under TSTC's North Texas campus administration.

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. 875 amends the Education Code to authorize the Texas State Technical College System to operate its campus in Ellis County as a collective unit of one or more locations in Ellis County, rather than operating in Ellis County only at a system campus located in the city of Red Oak as provided in current law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.