HBA-KMH H.B. 888 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 888
By: Gray
Higher Education
13/4/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current state law, Texas A&M University at Galveston is not allowed
to offer graduate level classes.  C.S.H.B. 888 raises the status of Texas
A&M University at Galveston to that of a graduate institution as well as an
undergraduate institution to allow it to offer graduate level classes. 

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 87.201(a), Education Code, to add that Texas A&M
University at Galveston is a special purpose institution of higher
education for graduate, as well as undergraduate, instruction in marine and
maritime studies in science, engineering, and business and for research and
public service related to the general field of marine resources. 

SECTION 2.  Authorizes Texas A&M University at Galveston to offer graduate
instruction under Section 87.201(a), Education Code, as amended by this
Act, only if the institution's plans to offer graduate instruction have
been reviewed and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute adds SECTION 2 to expressly authorizes Texas A&M University
at Galveston to offer graduate instruction after review and approval by the
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.