HBA-AMW H.B. 2840 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2840
By: Telford
Higher Education
3/26/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

For many years, the residents of Texarkana have attempted to bring a
four-year academic institution to their city.  Texarkana currently has
Texas A&M University-Texarkana, established by the legislature in 1971 as
an upper level university serving junior, senior, and graduate students,
and Texarkana College, a twoyear public community college.  House Bill 2840
authorizes the  establishment of a partnership agreement between Texas A&M
University-Texarkana and Texarkana College and allows a student enrolled at
Texarkana College to simultaneously enroll at the Texas A&M
University-Texarkana as long as the student meets its requirements for
enrollment. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2840 amends the Education Code to authorize Texas A&M
University-Texarkana (university) to enter into a partnership agreement
with the Texarkana College District in the manner authorized by the
provisions regarding partnerships between community or junior colleges and
upper-level universities or centers.  The bill authorizes a student
enrolled at Texarkana College to be simultaneously enrolled at the
university as long as the student meets the requirements for enrollment at
the university.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.