85R1881 KSD-F
By: Murphy H.B. No. 385
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the elimination of certain formula funding and dropped
course restrictions for students enrolled in accelerated,
affordable baccalaureate programs at public institutions of higher
education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 51.907, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
(b-1) This section does not apply to a student enrolled in
an accelerated baccalaureate program created in collaboration with
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that uses a
competency-based model and year-round flat-rate tuition to
facilitate degree completion, as verified by the coordinating
board.
SECTION 2. Section 61.059, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (r) to read as follows:
(r) Notwithstanding any other law, the board may not exclude
from being counted in the hours reported to the Legislative Budget
Board for formula funding contact hours or semester credit hours
for a student's enrollment in a course for which the student has
previously generated formula funding for the same course if the
student is enrolled in an accelerated baccalaureate program created
in collaboration with the board that uses a competency-based model
and year-round flat-rate tuition to facilitate degree completion,
as verified by the board.
SECTION 3. Section 61.0595, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (f-1) to read as follows:
(f-1) In the formulas established under Section 61.059, the
board shall include without consideration of Subsection (a) or (e)
funding for semester credit hours earned by a student who is
enrolled in an accelerated baccalaureate program created by an
institution in collaboration with the board that uses a
competency-based model and year-round flat-rate tuition to
facilitate degree completion, as verified by the board.
SECTION 4. Section 51.907(b-1), Education Code, as added by
this Act, applies beginning with the fall 2017 semester.
SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act to Sections
61.059 and 61.0595, Education Code, apply beginning with funding
recommendations made under Section 61.059, Education Code, for the
state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2019.
SECTION 6. 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.