Honorable Judith Zaffirini, Chair, Senate Committee on S/C on Higher Education
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2198 by Flores (Relating to authorizing certain public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs.), Committee Report 2nd House, As Amended
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
This bill would permit the Higher Education Coordinating Board to authorize up to four new baccalaureate degree programs at the three community college districts currently offering a baccalaureate degree program in applied science and technology (Midland College, Brazosport College and South Texas College).
Local Government Impact
The establishment of additional baccalaureate degree programs at the three community college districts currently authorized to offer such programs would require a considerable commitment of resources on the part of these districts to cover start-up and operating costs. Such costs include, but are not limited to, securing SACS accreditation, upgrading facilities and libraries to accomodate upper division coursework, and costs associated with faculty salary and workload. These local costs would be offset by any state contributions for "start-up" funding.