BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 158

79R33 JSA-D                                                                                                                     By: Fraser

                                                                                                                    S/C on Higher Education

                                                                                                                                                2/23/05

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Many communities in Texas, especially rural communities, have a need to be more competitive in attracting business and industry to their areas.  However, current laws and procedures have mandated that communities which need workforce development, academic, or technical higher education services first approach their designated junior college to provide those services.  The junior college is not required to provide these education opportunities and many communities do not feel that they have a method to access the current procedures created by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for off-campus programs and course approval. 

As proposed, S.B. 158 offers communities in small, rural counties a mechanism to approach the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to allow another institution to offer courses in the service area of a junior college if that junior college refused to offer the course within a one-year time frame. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.0551, as follows:

Sec. 61.0551.  APPROVAL OF VOCATIONAL OR TECHNICAL COURSE OR PROGRAM CONDUCTED IN SERVICE AREA OF JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT BY ANOTHER INSTITUTION.  (a)  Sets forth applicability of this section.

(b)  Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board) to approve a request by an institution of higher education to conduct a lower-division-level vocational or technical course or program at a location in the service area of a junior college district, other than a junior college district that operates the requesting institution, if the institution meets certain requirements. 

(c)  Provides that, for the purposes of this section, a community request for a course or program consists of certain elements.

(d)  Authorizes the board to, for good cause, direct an institution of higher education that conducts a course or program authorized under this section to discontinue conducting the course or program.  Provides that good cause may be determined according to certain guidelines.

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or on the 91st day after adjournment.