SRC-JXG H.B. 3651 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3651 76R11558 JSA-DBy: Rangel (Duncan) Higher Education 5/6/1999 Engrossed DIGEST State officials have expressed a desire for changes to the state's higher education system to be approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). H.B. 3651 would prohibit the governing board of any public technical institute, public junior college, public senior college or university, medical or dental unit, or other agency of higher education or institution of higher education from initialing a new partnership or affiliation between a general academic teaching institution or medical and dental unit and any other entity, unless THECB made certain determinations with respect to the partnership or affiliation or the partnership or affiliation is approved by an act of the legislature. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 3651 sets forth provisions regarding initiating new programs or affiliations with institutions of higher education. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 61.055, Education Code, as follows: Sec. 61.055. New heading: INITIATION OF NEW DEPARTMENTS, SCHOOLS, AND PROGRAMS; PARTNERSHIPS OR AFFILIATIONS. Authorizes the governing board of any public technical institute, public junior college, public senior college or university, medical or dental unit, or other agency of higher education (governing board) to establish a partnership or affiliation between a general academic teaching institution or medical or dental unit within the governing board's control and any other entity to offer or conduct courses for academic credit or to offer or operate a degree program unless the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board determines that the partnership or affiliation is consistent with the role and mission established for the institution or unit in accordance with the degree and certificate programs authorized to be offered by the institution or unit, and consistent with the role and mission of the university system, if any, to which the institution or unit belongs; or the partnership of affiliation is approved by an act of the legislature. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act does not affect a partnership or affiliation initiated before the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.