BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3165

By: Oliverson

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the Lone Star College System District has an existing program designed for adults with certain cognitive disabilities which the college system wishes to extend to allow the award of an associate degree in occupational and life skills. Such an expansion of the program would allow, among other potential benefits, access to federal student aid. H.B. 3165 seeks to authorize the degree program, subject to certain requirements.  

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3165 amends the Education Code to authorize the governing board of the Lone Star College System District to establish an occupational and life skills associate degree program at each junior college in the district. The bill requires such a degree program to require a student to successfully complete the junior college's core curriculum and then successfully complete the courses selected by the student in the student's degree plan. The bill requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules as necessary for the administration of the bill's provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.