HBA-LCA H.B. 2097 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2097 By: Uresti Public Education 4/19/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Texas law does not require high-school students to apply to public institutions of higher education as a condition for graduation. In an effort to increase the number of students who apply to college, H.B. 2097 requires high-school students to apply to an institution of higher education, and provides for a waiver of application fees for certain students. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the State Board of Education in SECTION 1 (Section 28.025, Education Code) and the Texas Higher Education Board in SECTION 2 (Section 61.085, Education Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 28.025, Education Code, by adding Subsection (d), as follows: (d) Requires that the State Board of Education (board) by rule require a student to apply to at least one institute of higher education, as defined in Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code, before graduation and receipt of a diploma or certificate of coursework completion. SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.085, as follows: Section 61.085. WAIVER OF CERTAIN APPLICATION FEE. (a) Requires the board to adopt rules that allow each student to apply to one institution of higher education without paying an application fee, to allow the student to comply with Section 28.025(d). (b) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board), in cooperation with the commissioner of education and each institution of higher learning, to adopt a uniform method of reporting applications for admission that would allow for the determination of whether a student has complied with Section 28.025(d). SECTION 3. (a) Requires the State Board of Education and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt the required rules by January 1, 2000. (b) Provides that the requirements of Section 28.025(d), Education Code, as added by this Act, apply only to a student who receives a high school diploma or certificate of coursework completion after the 2000 spring semester. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.