By: Gallegos H.B. No. 2676
73R6837 SOS-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to components of the University of Houston System.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 111.31, Education Code, is amended to
1-5 read as follows:
1-6 Sec. 111.31. Courses and Degrees. The board shall prescribe
1-7 courses leading to customary degrees offered in American
1-8 universities of the first rank. The <However, the> role and scope
1-9 of the university, but not the courses, <including its authorized>
1-10 departments, and offerings of degree and certificate programs, are
1-11 subject to the determination and approval of the Texas Higher
1-12 Education Coordinating Board<, Texas College and University
1-13 System>. All work done and all courses, degrees, certificates, and
1-14 diplomas awarded shall conform to standard college requirements as
1-15 promulgated by the accrediting associations that supervise matters
1-16 of accreditation of universities and colleges in the State of
1-17 Texas.
1-18 SECTION 2. Section 111.83, Education Code, is amended to
1-19 read as follows:
1-20 Sec. 111.83. Role and Scope. The university shall be
1-21 organized to offer only junior, senior, and graduate-level
1-22 programs. Those programs are not subject to the prior approval of
1-23 the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
1-24 SECTION 3. Subchapter E, Chapter 111, Education Code, is
2-1 amended by adding Section 111.86 to read as follows:
2-2 Sec. 111.86. COURSES AND DEGREES. The board of regents of
2-3 the University of Houston System may prescribe courses leading to
2-4 customary degrees as are offered at leading American educational
2-5 institutions and may award those degrees at the University of
2-6 Houston--Clear Lake. Those courses and degrees are not subject to
2-7 the prior approval of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
2-8 Board.
2-9 SECTION 4. Subchapter F, Chapter 111, Education Code, is
2-10 amended by adding Section 111.94 to read as follows:
2-11 Sec. 111.94. COURSES AND DEGREES. The board of regents of
2-12 the University of Houston System may prescribe courses leading to
2-13 customary degrees as are offered at leading American educational
2-14 institutions and may award those degrees at the University of
2-15 Houston--Downtown. Those courses and degrees are not subject to
2-16 the prior approval of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
2-17 Board.
2-18 SECTION 5. Section 111.98, Education Code, is amended to
2-19 read as follows:
2-20 Sec. 111.98. Courses; Administration. (a) The board of
2-21 regents may prescribe courses leading to appropriate degrees and
2-22 adopt other rules necessary for the operation and management of the
2-23 center. Those courses and degrees are not subject to the prior
2-24 approval of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
2-25 (b) Except as provided by Subsection (a) of this section,
2-26 the <The> center is subject to the authority of the Texas Higher
2-27 Education Coordinating Board<, Texas College and University
3-1 System>.
3-2 SECTION 6. Section 61.055, Education Code, is amended to
3-3 read as follows:
3-4 Sec. 61.055. Initiation of New Departments, Schools, and
3-5 Programs. Except as otherwise provided by law, a <No> new
3-6 department, school, or degree or certificate program approved by
3-7 the board or its predecessor, the Texas Commission on Higher
3-8 Education, may not be initiated by any institution of higher
3-9 education until the board has made a written finding that the
3-10 department, school, or degree or certificate program is adequately
3-11 financed by legislative appropriation, by funds allocated by the
3-12 board, or by funds from other sources.
3-13 SECTION 7. The importance of this legislation and the
3-14 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-15 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-16 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-17 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
3-18 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
3-19 passage, and it is so enacted.