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.