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.