88R7372 JRJ-F
By: Raney H.B. No. 3048
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the authority of certain public institutions of higher
education to offer programs and courses in junior college district
service areas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 130.161, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subdivision (3) to read as follows:
(3) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003.
SECTION 2. Subchapter J, Chapter 130, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 130.1615 to read as follows:
Sec. 130.1615. APPLICATION OF SUBCHAPTER TO PROGRAMS AND
COURSES OFFERED BY OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. (a)
This subchapter does not prohibit, restrict, or limit the authority
of an institution of higher education, other than a junior college
district, to offer a degree or certificate program in a service area
designated in this subchapter.
(b) A junior college district may not object to the
implementation of a program or course offered by an institution of
higher education, other than an institution of higher education
that is another junior college district, solely on the basis that
the program or course is offered in the objecting junior college
district's service area.
(c) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may not
approve or disapprove a new degree or certificate program, or the
continuation of an existing degree or certificate program, solely
on the basis that the program is offered or proposed to be offered
in a junior college district's service area. This subsection does
not apply to the approval or disapproval of a program offered or
proposed to be offered by a junior college district in the service
area of another junior college district.
SECTION 3. Sections 135.04(b) and (c) and Section
135.102(c), Education Code, are repealed.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, 2023.