HBA- CBW S.B. 573 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 573 By: Bivins Higher Education 3/18/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Over the past five years, enrollments in Texas public universities and public community and technical colleges have increased according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Between 1995 and 1999, public university fall semester enrollment increased by 6,441 students or 1.6 percent, and public community and technical college enrollment increased by 26,716 students or 6.5 percent. In public universities, the number of black and hispanic students increased by 7,789 students or 7.1 percent while the number of white students declined by 10,430 or 4.1 percent. For community and technical colleges, enrollment of black and hispanic students increased by 25,608 students or 17.5 percent while enrollment of white students declined by 5,409 students or 2.3 percent. Currently, projected enrollment increases are not sufficient to meet the state goal of enrolling 500,000 more students in higher education by 2015. Senate Bill 573 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish a statewide public awareness campaign to increase the number of students enrolled at higher education institutions in Texas. 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 573 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to establish a statewide public awareness campaign to promote the value and availability of higher education. The campaign may include information on: _the benefits of obtaining a postsecondary education; _the types of institutions of higher education and degree programs available; _the academic preparation needed to pursue a postsecondary education and any other requirements for enrollment at an institution of higher education; and _how to obtain financial aid and what forms of financial aid are available. The bill establishes that the campaign must target primary and secondary school students, with priority given to targeting students from groups or backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The bill authorizes the board to coordinate with other agencies as necessary to develop and implement the campaign, and to use any available revenue to undertake the campaign. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.