HBA-BSM S.B. 1814 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1814
By: Ellis, Rodney
Higher Education
5/7/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, each university system governing board (board) is
authorized to set a tuition rate for graduate and professional pharmacy
programs at a level two times higher than specified by law.  This may lead
to the inability of pharmacy and law programs in Texas to remain
competitive with other nationally recognized programs.  Senate Bill 1814
requires each board to set a rate of tuition for law school and a graduate
or professional pharmacy program at a level three times that specified by
current law. 

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

Senate Bill 1814 amends the Education Code to require the governing board
of an institution of higher education to set tuition for a graduate or
professional pharmacy program or law school at the institution at a rate
that is at least equal to and not more than three times the prescribed
tuition rate. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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