HBA-GUM S.B. 1261 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1261 By: Bivins Higher Education 5/7/1999 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In 1997, the 75th Texas Legislature directed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to develop a common core curriculum and a field of study curriculum through advisory boards made up of at least a majority of faculty members. While the common core curriculum has been developed, there has been little progress in developing the field of study curriculum. S.B. 1261 establishes provisions regarding the appointment of faculty members to certain curriculum advisory committees of the board and to the development of a field of study curricula by the board. 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 61.821, Education Code, by adding Subdivision (3), to define "faculty member." SECTION 2. Amends Section 61.822(a), Education Code, to require an institution to consult with the faculty of the institution before nominating or recommending a person to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) as the institution's representative on an advisory committee aiding in the development of a certain core curriculum. SECTION 3. Amends Section 61.823(a), Education Code, to authorize, rather than require, the board to develop a field of study curricula with the assistance of advisory committees composed of representatives of institutions of higher education. Requires an institution to consult with the faculty of the institution before nominating or recommending a person to the board as the institution's representative on an advisory committee aiding in the development of a certain field of study curricula. SECTION 4. Requires the board to conduct a study to examine the need for and feasibility of developing a field of study curriculum in various fields of study common to institutions of higher education. Requires the board to report the results to certain individuals, not later than September 1, 2000. SECTION 5. Provides that each advisory committee established by board must include a majority of faculty members, not later than January 1, 2000. SECTION 6. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS Amendment No. 1 reinstates "shall" in SECTION 3 (Section 61.823(a), Education Code) to require, rather than authorize, the board to develop field of study curricula with the assistance of advisory committees composed of representatives of institutions of higher education.