HBA-LJP H.B. 1685 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1685 By: Rangel Higher Education 7/17/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 77th Legislature, there were no guidelines for the formation of partnerships or affiliations between a general academic teaching institution or a medical or dental unit and other entities to offer or conduct courses for academic credit or to offer a degree program. House Bill 1685 establishes guidelines for proposed partnerships or affiliations between a general academic teaching institution or a medical or dental unit and other entities. 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 1685 amends the Education Code to authorize a general academic teaching institution (institution) or medical and dental unit (unit) to establish a partnership or affiliation with another entity to offer or conduct courses for academic credit or to offer or operate a degree program if the governing board determines that the partnership or affiliation is consistent with the role and mission of the institution, the partnership or affiliation is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, or the partnership or affiliation is established to secure or provide practical educational experience for a course or degree program offered by an institution or unit. EFFECTIVE DATE June 17, 2001.