LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 29, 2005

TO:
Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Higher Education
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB3074 by Brown, Fred (Relating to the number of semester credit hours required for completion of a baccalaureate degree program at a general academic teaching institution.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would implement a recommendation in the Legislative Budget Board's Staff Performance Report, State Government Efficiency and Operations Submitted to the 79th Legislature.  Recommendation three in "Streamline College Degree Semester Credit Hour Requirements" would set a maximum bachelor's degree length to the minimum number of semester credit hours (SCH) required for a degree by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools unless the institution determines that there is a compelling academic reason for requiring completion of additional SCH.  The bill would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to develop standards for determining whether there is compelling academic reasons for institutions to require additional academic SCH.  The bill would not apply to those student who initially enroll before 2008 fall semester.

It is assumed that the duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.

The bill would go into effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house. If the bill does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, the bill takes effect September 1, 2005.


Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
720 The University of Texas System Administration, 769 University of North Texas System Administration
LBB Staff:
JOB, CT, JI, KK