HBA-LJP S.B. 989 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 989 By: Ogden Higher Education 4/6/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prairie View A&M University (university) was first established in 1876 to offer educational opportunities to African Americans, and is designated as a historically black college and university by the United States Department of Education. Under current law, one of the purposes of the university is to offer instruction, research, and public service programs dedicated to enabling students with latent aptitudes, talents, and abilities and of diverse economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds to realize their potential. The wording "latent aptitudes, talent, and abilities" may, however, be construed as being discriminatory. Senate Bill 989 removes this wording from the purpose statement of the university. 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 989 amends the Education Code to provide that, in the purpose statement of Prairie View A&M University, the university is a statewide special purpose institution of higher education for instruction, research, and public service programs dedicated to enabling students of diverse economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds to realize their full potential. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.