HBA-KMH H.B. 888 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 888 By: Gray Higher Education 13/4/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current state law, Texas A&M University at Galveston is not allowed to offer graduate level classes. C.S.H.B. 888 raises the status of Texas A&M University at Galveston to that of a graduate institution as well as an undergraduate institution to allow it to offer graduate level classes. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 87.201(a), Education Code, to add that Texas A&M University at Galveston is a special purpose institution of higher education for graduate, as well as undergraduate, instruction in marine and maritime studies in science, engineering, and business and for research and public service related to the general field of marine resources. SECTION 2. Authorizes Texas A&M University at Galveston to offer graduate instruction under Section 87.201(a), Education Code, as amended by this Act, only if the institution's plans to offer graduate instruction have been reviewed and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The substitute adds SECTION 2 to expressly authorizes Texas A&M University at Galveston to offer graduate instruction after review and approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.