TITLE: Relating to the requirements for a junior college district to receive approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer baccalaureate degree programs.

SUMMARY: Relating to the requirements for a junior college district to receive approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer baccalaureate degree programs.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the requirements for a junior college district to receive approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer baccalaureate degree programs. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 130.307, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: (b) Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), a [A] public junior college may offer a baccalaureate degree program under this subchapter only if its junior college district: (1) had a taxable property valuation amount of not less than $6 billion in the preceding year; and (2) received a positive assessment of the overall financial health of the district as reported by the coordinating board. (b-1) The requirement of Subsection (b)(1) does not apply to a public junior college for the purpose of offering a baccalaureate degree program in nursing approved under Section 130.308 if its junior college district: (1) has a taxable property valuation amount of not less than $4 billion in the preceding year; and (2) does not have a four-year institution of higher education located in a county in which the district is located. SECTION 2. 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.