BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3650

By: Turner, Chris

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that open educational resources are increasingly available as a free or low‑cost alternative to traditional curriculum materials. H.B. 3650 seeks to take advantage of this option by requiring an agreement to establish a dual credit program to include a requirement for the partner institutions to consider the use of such resources.

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 this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3650 amends the Education Code to require an agreement, including a memorandum of understanding or articulation agreement, between a public school district and a public institution of higher education for the provision of a dual credit program to require the district and the institution to consider the use of free or low-cost open educational resources in courses offered under the program. This requirement applies only to an agreement entered into or renewed on or after September 1, 2019.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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