By: Shapleigh S.B. No. 649

(In the Senate - Filed February 14, 2007; February 28, 2007, read first time and referred to Subcommittee on Higher Education; April 11, 2007, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute from Committee on Education by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; April 11, 2007, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 649 By: Patrick

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct a study concerning the effectiveness of joint partnerships between institutions of higher education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 61.0661 to read as follows:

Sec. 61.0661. STUDY OF JOINT PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) The board shall conduct a study to determine whether institutions of higher education, including component institutions of different university systems, may effectively enter into joint partnership agreements to:

(1) develop joint degree programs and joint research programs;

(2) make joint appointments of faculty or other personnel to the partnership and to either or both institutions; and

(3) maintain joint facilities for purposes of conducting joint programs described by Subdivision (1).

(b) Not later than January 1, 2009, the board shall report to the legislature concerning the results of the study conducted under Subsection (a). The report must include the board's recommendations for implementing effective joint partnerships between institutions of higher education.

(c) The board shall use existing resources to perform duties imposed under this section.

(d) This section expires June 1, 2009.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

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