2023S0162-1 02/16/23
 
  By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 2135
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the course information required to be posted on a public
  institution of higher education's Internet website; providing an
  administrative penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 51.974, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a), (b), (f), and (g) and adding Subsections
  (f-1) and (f-2) to read as follows:
         (a)  Each institution of higher education, other than a
  medical and dental unit, as defined by Section 61.003, shall make
  available to the public on the institution's Internet website the
  following information for each [undergraduate] classroom course
  offered for credit by the institution:
               (1)  a syllabus that:
                     (A)  satisfies any standards adopted by the
  institution;
                     (B)  provides a brief description of each major
  course requirement, including each major assignment and
  examination;
                     (C)  lists any required or recommended reading;
  and
                     (D)  provides a general description of the subject
  matter of each lecture or discussion;
               (2)  a curriculum vitae of each regular instructor that
  lists the instructor's:
                     (A)  postsecondary education;
                     (B)  teaching experience; and
                     (C)  significant professional publications; and
               (3)  if available, a departmental budget report of the
  department under which the course is offered, from the most recent
  semester or other academic term during which the institution
  offered the course.
         (b)  The information required by Subsection (a) must be:
               (1)  accessible from the institution's Internet website
  home page [by use of not more than three links];
               (2)  clearly labeled as "public course and syllabus
  information";
               (3)  searchable by keywords and phrases; and
               (4) [(3)]  accessible to the public without requiring
  registration or use of a user name, a password, or another user
  identification.
         (f)  Not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, each
  institution of higher education shall submit a written report
  regarding the institution's compliance with this section to the
  governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
  representatives, [and] the presiding officer of each legislative
  standing committee with primary jurisdiction over higher
  education, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
         (f-1)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
  monitor each institution of higher education to determine whether
  the institution is in substantial compliance with this section and
  make available to the public on the coordinating board's Internet
  website:
               (1)  a list indicating whether each institution of
  higher education is in substantial compliance with this section;
  and
               (2)  a copy of each report submitted to the
  coordinating board under Subsection (f).
         (f-2)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
  assess an administrative penalty of $5,000 against an institution
  of higher education that violates Subsections (a) or (b). Each day
  the violation continues or occurs is a separate violation for
  purposes of assessing a penalty.
         (g)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt
  rules necessary to administer this section, including rules to:
               (1)  ensure substantial compliance with this section;
  and
               (2)  assess administrative penalties under Subsection
  (f-2).
         SECTION 2.  Section 51.974, Education Code, as amended by
  this Act, applies beginning with the 2024 spring semester.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.