BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 530 89R5569 CXP-D By: Sparks Education K-16 3/31/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT In 2019, the U.S. Department of Education amended federal rules to no longer require institutions of higher education to use their regional accreditor. Instead, colleges and universities are allowed to be accredited by any nationally recognized accreditor. However, there are parts of code that still require a Texas institutions of higher education to be accredited by their regional accreditor, the Southern Association of College and Schools (SACS). This legislation removes the statutory requirements for institutions of higher education to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. As proposed, S.B. 530 amends current law relating to the accreditation of certain postsecondary educational institutions in this state or of certain programs offered by those institutions. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 61.003(13), Education Code, to redefine "recognized accrediting agency." SECTION 2. Amends Section 61.0515(a), Education Code, as follows: (a) Prohibits a student, to earn a baccalaureate degree, from being required by a general academic teaching institution to complete more than the minimum number of semester credit hours required for the degree by the institution's recognized accrediting agency, rather than the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or its successor, unless the institution determines that there is a compelling academic reason for requiring completion of additional semester credit hours for the degree. SECTION 3. Amends Section 61.05151(a), Education Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 4. Amends Section 61.8235(f), Education Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 5. Amends Section 107.151(c), Education Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 6. Amends Section 107.201(c), Education Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 7. Amends Section 130.301, Education Code, by adding Subdivision (3) to define "recognized accrediting agency." SECTION 8. Amends Section 130.305, Education Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 9. Amends Section 130.307(c), Education Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 10. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 530
89R5569 CXP-D By: Sparks
Education K-16
3/31/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 530
89R5569 CXP-D
By: Sparks
Education K-16
3/31/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In 2019, the U.S. Department of Education amended federal rules to no longer require institutions of higher education to use their regional accreditor. Instead, colleges and universities are allowed to be accredited by any nationally recognized accreditor. However, there are parts of code that still require a Texas institutions of higher education to be accredited by their regional accreditor, the Southern Association of College and Schools (SACS). This legislation removes the statutory requirements for institutions of higher education to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
As proposed, S.B. 530 amends current law relating to the accreditation of certain postsecondary educational institutions in this state or of certain programs offered by those institutions.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 61.003(13), Education Code, to redefine "recognized accrediting agency."
SECTION 2. Amends Section 61.0515(a), Education Code, as follows:
(a) Prohibits a student, to earn a baccalaureate degree, from being required by a general academic teaching institution to complete more than the minimum number of semester credit hours required for the degree by the institution's recognized accrediting agency, rather than the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or its successor, unless the institution determines that there is a compelling academic reason for requiring completion of additional semester credit hours for the degree.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 61.05151(a), Education Code, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 61.8235(f), Education Code, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 5. Amends Section 107.151(c), Education Code, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 6. Amends Section 107.201(c), Education Code, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 7. Amends Section 130.301, Education Code, by adding Subdivision (3) to define "recognized accrediting agency."
SECTION 8. Amends Section 130.305, Education Code, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 9. Amends Section 130.307(c), Education Code, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 10. Effective date: September 1, 2025.