77R12563 KEL-D
By Villarreal, Rangel H.B. No. 1359
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1359:
By Rangel C.S.H.B. No. 1359
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the transfer of course credit between public
1-3 institutions of higher education.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 61.823, Education Code, is amended by
1-6 adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows:
1-7 (d) In developing field of study curricula, the board shall
1-8 pursue a management strategy that maximizes efficiency, including a
1-9 management strategy that provides for the decentralization of
1-10 advisory committees to enable concurrent development of curricula
1-11 for different fields of study.
1-12 (e) Not later than January 1, 2003, the board shall develop
1-13 the field of study curriculum for not fewer than 10 degree programs
1-14 designated by the board not later than January 1, 2002, that are
1-15 high-demand degree programs for transfer students and that are
1-16 common to more than one general academic teaching institution. If
1-17 the board fails to meet the requirements of this subsection by
1-18 January 1, 2003, for a designated degree program, all lower
1-19 division courses required for that degree program are automatically
1-20 transferable for credit between all institutions of higher
1-21 education that offer that degree program. Not later than January
1-22 1, 2003, the board shall report to the legislature regarding the
1-23 board's progress in developing the field of study curricula
1-24 required by this subsection.
2-1 (f) Not later than January 1, 2004, the board shall develop,
2-2 in addition to the degree programs designated by the board under
2-3 Subsection (e), the field of study curriculum for not fewer than
2-4 five degree programs designated by the board not later than January
2-5 1, 2003, that are high-demand degree programs for transfer students
2-6 and that are common to more than one general academic teaching
2-7 institution. If the board fails to meet the requirements of this
2-8 subsection by January 1, 2004, for a designated degree program, all
2-9 lower division courses required for that degree program are
2-10 automatically transferable for credit between all institutions of
2-11 higher education that offer that degree program. Not later than
2-12 January 1, 2004, the board shall report to the legislature
2-13 regarding the board's progress in developing the field of study
2-14 curricula required by this subsection.
2-15 SECTION 2. Subchapter S, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
2-16 amended by adding Sections 61.830, 61.831, and 61.832 to read as
2-17 follows:
2-18 Sec. 61.830. PUBLICATION OF GUIDELINES ADDRESSING TRANSFER
2-19 PRACTICES. In its course catalogs and on its website, each
2-20 institution of higher education shall publish guidelines addressing
2-21 the practices of the institution regarding the transfer of course
2-22 credit.
2-23 Sec. 61.831. UNIFORM NUMBERING SYSTEM. The board shall
2-24 develop a uniform numbering system for all lower division courses
2-25 that are common to more than one institution of higher education
2-26 for use by those institutions.
2-27 Sec. 61.832. PURPOSE OF SUBCHAPTER. The purpose of this
3-1 subchapter is to develop a seamless system of higher education with
3-2 respect to student transfers between institutions of higher
3-3 education, including student transfers from public junior colleges
3-4 to general academic teaching institutions.
3-5 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
3-6 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
3-7 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
3-8 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
3-9 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.