85R1686 KEL-D
 
  By: Hernandez H.B. No. 254
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a single common course numbering system for public
  institutions of higher education in this state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 61.822(b), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  Each institution of higher education shall adopt a core
  curriculum of not [no] less than 42 semester credit hours,
  including specific courses comprising the curriculum. The core
  curriculum shall be consistent with the single common course
  numbering system approved by the board under Section 61.832(a) and
  with the statement, recommendations, and rules issued by the board.
  An institution may have a core curriculum of other than 42 semester
  credit hours only if approved by the board.
         SECTION 2.  Section 61.830, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 61.830.  PUBLICATION OF GUIDELINES ADDRESSING TRANSFER
  PRACTICES. In its course catalogs and on its website, each
  institution of higher education shall publish guidelines
  addressing the practices of the institution regarding the transfer
  of course credit. In the guidelines, the institution must use 
  [identify a course by using] the single common course numbering
  system as required by Section 61.832 to identify each of its offered
  courses for which a common number designation and course
  description are included by the board in that system [approved by
  the board].
         SECTION 3.  Section 61.832, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 61.832.  COMMON COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM. (a) The board
  shall approve a single common course numbering system for
  lower-division courses to facilitate the transfer of those courses
  among institutions of higher education by promoting consistency in
  course designation and identification.
         (b)  The board shall solicit input from institutions of
  higher education regarding the development of the single common
  course numbering system.
         (c)  Each institution of higher education shall:
               (1)  use the approved common course numbering system in
  the institution's guidelines regarding the transfer of course
  credit for each course for which a common number designation and
  course description are included by the board in that system; and
               (2)  include the applicable course numbers from the
  approved common course numbering system in its course catalogs and
  other course listings.
         (d)  The board may approve only a common course numbering
  system already in common use in this state by one or more
  institutions of higher education.
         (e) [(c)]  The board shall cooperate with institutions of
  higher education in any additional development or alteration of the
  common course numbering system approved under Subsection (a),
  including the taxonomy to be used, and in the development of rules
  for the administration and applicability of the system.
         (f)  Each institution of higher education must certify
  annually to the board the accuracy of the institution's
  identification, in its course catalogs and other course listings,
  of each course offered by the institution for which a common number
  designation and course description are included by the board in the
  common course numbering system. As part of the certification
  required by this subsection, the institution shall specify each of
  its offered courses for which a common number designation and
  course description are included in that system and each of its
  offered courses for which a common number designation and course
  description are not included in that system. The institution also
  shall include with its certification a current, publicly accessible
  website address at which the institution publishes its guidelines
  regarding the transfer of course credit.
         (g)  The board may, based on the board's review of the
  information certified under Subsection (f), recommend corrective
  action to an institution's governing board if the institution fails
  to comply with the requirements of this section. In its next
  legislative appropriations request made to the legislature, the
  board shall identify each institution that fails to comply with the
  board's recommended corrective action.
         (h)  Not later than June 1, 2018, the board shall:
               (1)  approve a single common course numbering system as
  required by Subsection (a); and
               (2)  establish a timetable that requires institutions
  of higher education to phase in the inclusion of the applicable
  course numbers from the approved common course numbering system in
  their individual guidelines regarding the transfer of course credit
  and in their individual course numbering systems as required by
  this section so that each institution fully complies with this
  section for each course that is offered during the 2022-2023
  academic year or a subsequent academic year and for which a common
  number designation and course description are included by the board
  in that system.
         (h-1)  Subsection (h) and this subsection expire January 1,
  2024.
         [(d)     An institution of higher education shall include in its
  course listings the applicable course numbers from the common
  course numbering system approved by the board under this section.
  For good cause, the board may grant to an institution of higher
  education an exemption from the requirements of this subsection.]
         SECTION 4.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
  section, the change in law made by this Act applies beginning with
  the 2018-2019 academic year.
         (b)  The change in law made by this Act in adding Sections
  61.832(f) and (g), Education Code, applies beginning with the
  2022-2023 academic year.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2017.