85R2219 KEL-F
By: Guillen H.B. No. 1563
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of the Texas State Technical College
System to offer technical-vocational courses or programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 135.01, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
follows:
(c) In developing and offering highly specialized technical
programs with related supportive coursework, primary consideration
shall be placed on industrial and technological manpower needs of
the state.
(d) The authority of the Texas State Technical College
System to create a technical-vocational course of study or
technical-vocational certificate or degree program under this
section is not subject to Section 61.0512 [The emphasis of each
Texas State Technical College System campus shall be on advanced or
emerging technical programs not commonly offered by public junior
colleges].
SECTION 2. Section 135.02(b), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) The system may operate an extension center created after
September 1, 1991, in a city or county if:
(1) [the coordinating board has given prior approval
to the extension center, after considering the role and mission of
the system, the needs of this state and of the community involved,
the actions of the legislature, if any, and the efficient and
effective use of the state's educational resources for the economic
development of this state;
[(2)] a political subdivision of this state provides
and maintains appropriate equipment and facilities for the delivery
of technical-vocational education, including maintenance and
utilities; and
(2) [(3)] funding for the extension center is approved
by specific legislative Act.
SECTION 3. Section 135.04, Education Code, is repealed.
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.