85R11709 JRJ-D
 
  By: Laubenberg H.B. No. 2251
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to authorization by the Texas Higher Education
  Coordinating Board for certain public junior colleges to offer
  baccalaureate degree programs.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 130.0012, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (b-4), (e-1), and (g-1) and amending Subsections
  (e) and (h) to read as follows:
         (b-4)  The coordinating board may authorize baccalaureate
  degree programs under this section at one or more public junior
  colleges that offer a degree program in the field of nursing and
  have demonstrated a workforce need.  Offering a baccalaureate
  degree program under this subsection does not otherwise alter the
  role and mission of a public junior college.
         (e)  In determining whether a public junior college may offer 
  [what] baccalaureate degree programs and what degree programs may 
  [are to] be offered, the coordinating board shall:
               (1)  apply the same criteria and standards the
  coordinating board uses to approve baccalaureate degree programs at
  general academic teaching institutions; and
               (2)  consider the following factors:
                     (A) [(1)]  the workforce need for the degree
  programs in the region served by the junior college;
                     (B) [(2)]  how those degree programs would
  complement the other programs and course offerings of the junior
  college and whether the associate degree program offered by the
  junior college in the same field has been successful;
                     (C) [(3)]  whether those degree programs would
  unnecessarily duplicate the degree programs offered by other
  institutions of higher education; and
                     (D) [(4)]  the ability of the junior college to
  support the degree programs with student enrollment [program] and
  the adequacy of the junior college's facilities, faculty,
  administration, libraries, and other resources.
         (e-1)  A public junior college may offer a baccalaureate
  degree program under this section only if its junior college
  district meets the taxable property valuation amount established in
  Section 130.032.
         (g-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (g), a degree program
  created under Subsection (b-4) may be funded only by a public junior
  college's proportionate share of state appropriations under
  Section 130.003, local funds, and private sources.  This subsection
  does not require the legislature to appropriate state funds to
  support a degree program created under Subsection (b-4).
         (h)  Each biennium, each public junior college offering a
  baccalaureate degree program under this section shall conduct a
  review of each baccalaureate degree program offered and prepare a
  [biennial] report on the operation, quality, and effectiveness of
  those [the junior college's baccalaureate] degree programs. A [and
  shall deliver a] copy of the report shall be delivered to the
  coordinating board in the form and at the time determined by the
  coordinating board.
         SECTION 2.  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.