BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 502
86R4639 JRJ‑D	By: Seliger
	Higher Education
	3/7/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, when a student enrolled in a public institution of higher education attempts to transfer academic course credit from one institution to the next institution, that course credit is not always accepted by the receiving institution.

S.B. 502 would better inform students and institutions of higher education around the state as to the reason a course credit was not accepted. Specifically, S.B. 502 requires credit receiving institutions to report the why the institution did not grant academic credit for the course, the course name and type, and which institution provided the academic course credit.

As proposed, S.B. 502 amends current law relating to requiring certain institutions of higher education to issue reports on the transferability of credit.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter H, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Sections 51.400 and 51.4033, as follows:

Sec. 51.400. DEFINITIONS. Defines "coordinating board," "general academic teaching institution," "institution of higher education," and "medical and dental unit."

Sec. 51.4033. REPORT OF NONTRANSFERABLE CREDIT. (a) Requires each general academic teaching institution and medical and dental unit to provide to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), not later than December 1 of each year and in the form prescribed by THECB,� a report describing any courses for which a student who transfers to the institution from another institution from another institution of higher education is not granted academic credit at the receiving institution.

(b) Requires a report required by this section to indicate certain information.

SECTION 2. Requires each public institution of higher education and medical and dental unit required to submit a report under Section 51.4033, Education Code, as added by this Act, to submit the first report not later than December 1, 2020.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.