2023S0162-1 02/16/23
By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 2135
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the course information required to be posted on a public
institution of higher education's Internet website; providing an
administrative penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 51.974, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a), (b), (f), and (g) and adding Subsections
(f-1) and (f-2) to read as follows:
(a) Each institution of higher education, other than a
medical and dental unit, as defined by Section 61.003, shall make
available to the public on the institution's Internet website the
following information for each [undergraduate] classroom course
offered for credit by the institution:
(1) a syllabus that:
(A) satisfies any standards adopted by the
institution;
(B) provides a brief description of each major
course requirement, including each major assignment and
examination;
(C) lists any required or recommended reading;
and
(D) provides a general description of the subject
matter of each lecture or discussion;
(2) a curriculum vitae of each regular instructor that
lists the instructor's:
(A) postsecondary education;
(B) teaching experience; and
(C) significant professional publications; and
(3) if available, a departmental budget report of the
department under which the course is offered, from the most recent
semester or other academic term during which the institution
offered the course.
(b) The information required by Subsection (a) must be:
(1) accessible from the institution's Internet website
home page [by use of not more than three links];
(2) clearly labeled as "public course and syllabus
information";
(3) searchable by keywords and phrases; and
(4) [(3)] accessible to the public without requiring
registration or use of a user name, a password, or another user
identification.
(f) Not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, each
institution of higher education shall submit a written report
regarding the institution's compliance with this section to the
governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
representatives, [and] the presiding officer of each legislative
standing committee with primary jurisdiction over higher
education, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
(f-1) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
monitor each institution of higher education to determine whether
the institution is in substantial compliance with this section and
make available to the public on the coordinating board's Internet
website:
(1) a list indicating whether each institution of
higher education is in substantial compliance with this section;
and
(2) a copy of each report submitted to the
coordinating board under Subsection (f).
(f-2) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
assess an administrative penalty of $5,000 against an institution
of higher education that violates Subsections (a) or (b). Each day
the violation continues or occurs is a separate violation for
purposes of assessing a penalty.
(g) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt
rules necessary to administer this section, including rules to:
(1) ensure substantial compliance with this section;
and
(2) assess administrative penalties under Subsection
(f-2).
SECTION 2. Section 51.974, Education Code, as amended by
this Act, applies beginning with the 2024 spring semester.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.