By: Ellis, Huffman S.B. No. 414
(In the Senate - Filed February 7, 2013; February 13, 2013,
read first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education;
May 6, 2013, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 6, 2013,
sent to printer.)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 414 By: Zaffirini
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report regarding authorizing certain public
junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs to address
regional workforce needs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 130, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 130.0013 to read as follows:
Sec. 130.0013. STUDY AND REPORT; BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
PROGRAMS AUTHORITY. (a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board shall conduct a study of regional workforce needs in this
state to determine the regions of the state that would benefit from
the authorization of baccalaureate degree programs at public junior
colleges serving the region and appropriate metrics for determining
whether a public junior college should offer those degree programs.
In conducting its study, the coordinating board shall consult with
at least one representative of each of the following:
(1) four-year institutions of higher education;
(2) two-year institutions of higher education;
(3) regional businesses;
(4) professional associations; and
(5) any other entity the commissioner of higher
education considers appropriate.
(b) In conducting its study under this section, the
coordinating board shall consider the following factors in regard
to a public junior college:
(1) the need for the baccalaureate degree program in
the region served by the public junior college;
(2) how the degree program would complement or
conflict with the other programs and course offerings of the public
junior college;
(3) whether the degree program would unnecessarily
duplicate a degree program offered by other institutions of higher
education;
(4) whether an institution of higher education located
in the same region as the public junior college has the capacity to
offer the degree program;
(5) the ability of the public junior college to
support the degree program, including the adequacy of the public
junior college's facilities, faculty, administration, libraries,
and other resources;
(6) the feasibility of the public junior college
offering the degree program in collaboration with a general
academic teaching institution under an articulation agreement;
(7) the cost of the degree program to students
enrolled in the program;
(8) the availability and method of state funding to
support the degree program;
(9) the current licensure and accreditation standards
under which the public junior college operates and the processes
necessary to offer a baccalaureate degree program; and
(10) any other metric the coordinating board considers
relevant.
(c) Not later than June 1, 2014, the coordinating board
shall submit to each legislative standing committee with primary
jurisdiction over higher education the results of its study under
this section and recommendations for legislative or other action.
(d) This section expires September 1, 2015.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
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