BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 414

By: Ellis

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that Texas allows junior and community colleges to offer associate's degrees and a limited number of bachelor's degrees.  Certain junior and community colleges can offer bachelor's degrees if they previously participated in a pilot program to offer bachelor's degrees.

S.B. 414 amends current law relating to a study and report regarding authorizing certain public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs to address regional workforce needs.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 130, Education Code, by adding Section 130.0013, as follows:

Sec. 130.0013.  STUDY AND REPORT; BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS AUTHORITY.  (a) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to, using existing funds, conduct a study of regional workforce needs in this state to determine the regions of the state that would benefit from the authorization of baccalaureate degree programs at public junior colleges serving the region and appropriate metrics for determining whether a public junior college should offer those degree programs.  Requires THECB, in conducting its study, to consult with at least one representative of each of the following:

(1) four-year institutions of higher education;

(2) two-year institutions of higher education;

(3) regional businesses;

(4) professional associations; and

(5) any other entity the commissioner of higher education considers appropriate.

(b) Requires THECB, not later than August 1, 2014, to submit to each legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education the results of its study under this section and recommendation for legislative or other action.

(c) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2015.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2013.