BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2343
86R9821 KJE-D	By: Creighton
	Higher Education
	4/15/2019
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

During the 84th Regular Session, S.B. 1004 was signed into law. This bill dealt with expanding access to dual credit courses and allowing students in Harris County and the surrounding counties to take dual credit courses with any of the community colleges in the area. Prior to S.B 1004, high school students were limited to taking only three credit hours at a community college outside of the service area of their high school's district, greatly restricting the opportunity for students to gain crucial college credits. S.B. 1004 gave students a great deal of flexibility, lifting the three credit limit, and eliminating the need for a student to receive a waiver in order to attend a community college outside of their service area. Participating colleges included: Houston Community College System District, Lee College District, San Jacinto College District, and Lone Star College System District.

 

S.B. 2343 would build on the success of S.B. 1004 (84R). This bill would expand the program to include Blinn Community College District. Under S.B. 2343, a public community college would enter into an agreement with each school district located wholly or partly in a county in which the college's service area is wholly or partly located. This will expand available options for dual credit students through the institution that best fits their individual situation.

 

As proposed, S.B. 2343 amends current law relating to courses offered jointly by certain public junior colleges and independent school districts.

 

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 ��Section 130.008, Education Code, by amending Subsection (g-1) and adding Subsection (g-2), as follows:

 

(g-1) Requires a public junior college to which this subsection applies to enter into an agreement with each school district located wholly or partly in a county in which the junior college district's service area is wholly or partly located to offer one or more courses as provided by this section (Courses For Joint High School and Junior College Credit), rather than requiring a �public junior college with a service area located wholly or partly in a county with a population of more than three million to enter into an agreement with each school district located wholly or partly in a county with a population of more than three million to offer one or more courses as provided by this section.

 

(g-2) Provides that Subsection (g-1) applies only to a public junior college in:

 

(1) the Blinn College District;

 

(2) the Houston Community College System District;

 

(3) the Lee College District;

 

(4) the Lone Star College System District; or

 

(5) the San Jacinto College District.

 

SECTION 2. Provides that this �Act applies beginning with the 2019 fall semester.

 

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