LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 86TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 9, 2019

TO:	Honorable Chris Turner, Chair, House Committee on Higher Education
FROM:	John McGeady, Assistant Director     Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1203 by Middleton (Relating to authorization by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs.), As Introduced

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time. The bill could result in a net decrease in General Revenue due to decreased formula funding at general academic institutions and health related institutions, which could be partially offset by increased formula funding at public junior colleges in fiscal years 2022-23. The bill could result in a net decrease in tuition and fee revenue at general academic institutions and health related institutions due to estimated declines in enrollment in certain programs. The net change in General Revenue and institutional funds for institutions of higher education would depend on the number of baccalaureate degree programs offered by public junior colleges and the number of students who choose to enroll in those programs instead of programs at general academic institutions or health related institutions.

The bill would amend various sections of the Education Code relating to authorization by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs.

The bill would allow the Coordinating Board to authorize public junior colleges that previously participated in a pilot project, offer a degree program in the field of applied science, or offer baccalaureate degree programs in the field of dental hygiene to offer baccalaureate degree programs in any field.

The bill removes the requirement that a public junior college that offers a degree program in the field of applied science must demonstrate a workforce need to receive authorization from the Coordinating Board to offer an additional baccalaureate degree program.

The bill removes the limitation on the number of baccalaureate degree programs offered at public junior colleges that previously participated in a pilot project, offer a degree program in the field of applied science, or offer baccalaureate degree programs in the field of dental hygiene.

This analysis assumes that any costs to the Coordinating Board to implement the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within current resources.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. This analysis assumes any costs associated with this bill would be paid for out of institutional funds, partially offset by any state appropriations from formula funding.

Source Agencies:

781 Higher Education Coordinating Board, 980 Southwest Texas Junior College, 985 Tyler Junior College, 996 Lone Star College System

LBB Staff:

WP, JGAn, DEH, AO, GO