Texas Senate Bill SB1272

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 3/8/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 3/31/11
• Voted on by Senate: 4/14/11
• Refer: 3/16/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/2/11
• Report Pass: 3/31/11
• Voted on by House: 5/5/11
• Engrossed: 4/14/11
• Governor Action: 5/19/11
• Refer: 4/26/11
• Report Pass: 4/29/11
• Enrolled: 5/6/11
• Passed: 5/19/11

Caption

Relating to tuition rates and formula funding for certain nonresident students enrolled at Texas A&M University--Texarkana.

Impact

This legislation has potential implications for state educational funding frameworks. By adjusting the tuition rates for students coming from nearby states, SB1272 seeks to align Texas A&M University--Texarkana's policies with those of other public institutions that already benefit from similar arrangements. It is designed not only to benefit students but also to increase enrollment in Texas A&M, which could positively affect university funding and resource allocation for various programs, thereby enhancing the educational landscape in the region.

Summary

Senate Bill 1272 is an act aimed at modifying tuition rates and formula funding for certain nonresident students attending Texas A&M University--Texarkana. The bill specifically states that nonresident tuition fees will not apply to students from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, or Oklahoma, who are enrolled in this university, provided they reside in counties adjacent to Texas. This provision is intended to make educational opportunities more accessible to students living near the Texas border, thereby encouraging enrollment from these neighboring states.

Contention

One notable point of contention arises from the amendment allowing distance education credits to count toward formula funding. This clause mandates that credit hours taught through distance education are included in the funding formula for students residing out of state but still qualifying for resident tuition rates. Critics may argue that this could divert essential funding from institutions primarily catering to in-state students, leading to potential inequalities in resource distribution among public colleges and universities in Texas.