85R5854 KJE-D By: Rodriguez of Bexar H.B. No. 1198 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the filing of a degree plan by students at public junior colleges. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 51.9685(a)(2), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (2) "Institution of higher education" and "public junior college" have [has] the meanings [meaning] assigned by Section 61.003. SECTION 2. Section 51.9685, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows: (c-1) Notwithstanding Subsections (b) and (c), a student enrolled in an associate or bachelor's degree program at a public junior college shall file a degree plan with the college not later than: (1) the end of the second regular semester or term immediately following the semester or term in which the student earned a cumulative total of 15 or more semester credit hours of course credit for courses described by Subsection (b); or (2) if the student begins the student's first semester or term at the college with 15 or more semester credit hours of course credit for courses described by Subsection (b), the end of the student's second regular semester or term at the college. SECTION 3. Section 51.9685(c-1), Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with students who initially enroll in a public junior college for the 2018 fall semester. SECTION 4. 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, 2017.