HBA-MPM H.B. 3708 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3708 By: Rangel Higher Education 3/31/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In Texas, tuition rates for public institutions of higher education are established in Section 54.0512 (Interim Tuition Rates), Education Code. Since 1991, undergraduate tuition rates have increased by increments of $2 per semester credit hour on an annual basis. The current cap is $40 per semester credit hour for the 2000-2001 academic year. The cap expires January 1, 2002. H.B. 3708 extends the increase of undergraduate tuition at $2 per semester credit hour per year until the 2005-2006 academic year, when it reaches $50 per semester credit hour. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 54.0512, Education Code, by amending Subsections (b) and (h), as follows: (b) Deletes a schedule of tuition for a resident student at a general academic teaching institution for the 1994-1995, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, and 1997-1998 academic years. Redesignates existing Subsections (5)-(7) to Subsections (1)-(3), respectfully. Includes a tuition schedule as follows: _$42 per semester credit hour for the 2001-2002 academic year; _$44 per semester credit hour for the 2002-2003 academic year; _$46 per semester credit hour for the 2003-2004 academic year; _$48 per semester credit hour for the 2004-2005 academic year; and _$50 per semester credit hour for the 2005-2006 academic year. Makes nonsubstantive changes. (h) Provides that this section expires January 1, 2007, rather than January 1, 2002. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.