BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1876
88R13899 CXP-D	By: Middleton
	Subcommittee on Higher Education
	4/12/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, institutions of higher education each have different requirements to accept a transfer course. This has led to students completing courses, and then the institution to which they are transferred is refusing to grant credit either in whole or towards their degree plan. 

S.B. 1876 would require an institution of higher education to accept credit toward the transferee's degree program. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is authorized to adopt rules to ensure compliance with the new Section 61.8231 of the Education Code. 

As proposed, S.B. 1876 amends current law relating to the transfer of course credit between public institutions of higher education.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is modified in SECTION 2 (Section 61.827, Education Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter S, Chapter 61, Education Code, by adding Section 61.8231, as follows:

Sec. 61.8231. TRANSFER TOWARD DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIRED. Requires an institution of higher education that admits a student transferring from another institution of higher education, notwithstanding any other provision of Subchapter S (Transfer of Credit) or other law, to award the student academic credit toward the student's degree program for each course the student completed at the sending institution.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 61.827(a), Education Code, to provide that the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is authorized to adopt rules implementing the provisions of this subchapter, including rules to ensure compliance with this subchapter.

SECTION 3. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2023�2024 academic year.

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.