HBA-JLV H.B. 1359 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1359
By: Villarreal, Mike
Higher Education
3/5/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is a lack of standardization of credit transfer practices
between two-year colleges and public universities in Texas.  To further
expedite the reform of credit transfer practices, the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (THECB), in conjunction with the legislature,
has worked to address the difficulties encountered by students in
transferring course credits.  House Bill 1359 requires THECB to develop
criteria for each institution of higher education to standardize its
transfer practices and to address and attempt to remedy any difficulties
that are encountered by students in transferring course credits between
institutions. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1359 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (board) to develop criteria to be used by each
institution of higher education to standardize its transfer practices and
to evaluate those transfer practices.  The bill requires the board to
address and attempt to remedy any difficulties that are frequently
encountered by students in transferring course credit between institutions. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.