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.