85R9932 JRJ-D

By: Faircloth H.B. No. 2637

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 amending Subsections (a), (b), and (e) and adding Subsections (b-4), (b-5), (b-6), and (g-1) to read as follows:

(a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may [shall] authorize public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs in the fields of applied science, [and] applied technology, and nursing under this section. Offering a baccalaureate degree program under this section does not otherwise alter the role and mission of a public junior college.

(b) The coordinating board:

(1) shall authorize baccalaureate degree programs at each public junior college that previously participated in a pilot project to offer baccalaureate degree programs; and

(2) may authorize baccalaureate degree programs at one or more public junior colleges that offer a degree program in the field of nursing and have demonstrated a workforce need.

(b-4) The coordinating board shall establish a pilot project to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of authorizing not more than two baccalaureate degree programs, one in the field of applied science or applied technology, and one in the field of nursing at a public junior college with a main campus located on a barrier island and at a public junior college with not more than three main campuses located in a county with a population greater than 3.3 million.

(b-5) Not later than January 1, 2019, the coordinating board shall prepare a progress report on the pilot project established under Subsection (b-4). Not later than January 1, 2021, the coordinating board shall prepare a report on the effectiveness of the pilot project, including any recommendations for legislative action regarding the offering of baccalaureate degree programs in the fields of applied science, applied technology, and nursing by a public junior college. The coordinating board shall deliver a copy of each report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the chair of the standing committee of each house of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over higher education. Unless the authority to continue offering a baccalaureate degree program in the fields of applied science, applied technology, and nursing is continued by the legislature, a public junior college may not:

(1) enroll a new student in a baccalaureate degree program under the pilot project after the 2022 fall semester;

(2) offer junior-level or senior-level courses for those degree programs after the 2025 fall semester, unless the coordinating board authorizes the college to offer those courses; or

(3) award a baccalaureate degree under the pilot project after the 2025 fall semester, unless the coordinating board approves the awarding of the degree.

(b-6) This subsection and Subsections (b-4) and (b-5) expire on the first December 31 following the first regular legislative session that occurs after the sixth anniversary of the date a public junior college offering a degree program in the fields of applied science, applied technology, and nursing under Subsection (b-4) meets the accreditation requirements of Subsection (c).

(e) In determining what baccalaureate degree programs are to be offered, the coordinating board shall consider the following factors:

(1) the workforce need for the degree programs in the region served by the junior college;

(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;

(3) whether those degree programs would unnecessarily duplicate the degree programs offered by other institutions of higher education or whether a partnership with other institutions of higher education is possible; [and]

(4) the ability of the junior college to support the program with student enrollment and the adequacy of the junior college's facilities, faculty, administration, libraries, and other resources; and

(5) whether the junior college meets the taxable property valuation amount established in Section 130.032.

(g-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (g), a degree program established under Subsection (b-4) may be funded solely by a public junior college's proportionate share of state appropriations under Section 130.003, local funds, and private sources. This subsection expires January 1, 2022.

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.