S.B. 1521 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 1521 By: Zaffirini Higher Education Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law allows the governing board of an institution of higher education to increase tuition for a law school at a rate equal to the rate for undergraduate program; however, the provision fails to include other graduate programs offered at the institution. As proposed, S.B. 1521 allows the governing board of institution of higher education to set tuition for a graduate school in the same manner it sets tuition for a law school at the institution. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 54.008(g), Education Code, as follows: (g) Requires the governing board of an institution of higher education to set tuition for a law school or a graduate school of business at the institution at a rate that is at least equal to the rate prescribed by Subchapter B but not more than three times the rate prescribed by Subchapter B. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with tuition charges imposed for the fall semester of 2003 SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003. EFFECTIVE DATE This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.