85R9932 JRJ-D
 
  By: Taylor of Galveston S.B. No. 1170
 
 
 
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.