85R11709 JRJ-D     By: Taylor of Collin S.B. No. 1328       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to authorization by the Texas Higher Education   Coordinating Board for certain public junior colleges to offer   baccalaureate degree programs.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 130.0012, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsections (b-4), (e-1), and (g-1) and amending Subsections   (e) and (h) to read as follows:          (b-4)  The coordinating board may authorize baccalaureate   degree programs under this section at one or more public junior   colleges that offer a degree program in the field of nursing and   have demonstrated a workforce need.  Offering a baccalaureate   degree program under this subsection does not otherwise alter the   role and mission of a public junior college.          (e)  In determining whether a public junior college may offer    [what] baccalaureate degree programs and what degree programs may    [are to] be offered, the coordinating board shall:                (1)  apply the same criteria and standards the   coordinating board uses to approve baccalaureate degree programs at   general academic teaching institutions; and                (2)  consider the following factors:                      (A) [(1)]  the workforce need for the degree   programs in the region served by the junior college;                      (B) [(2)]  how those degree programs would   complement the other programs and course offerings of the junior   college and whether the associate degree program offered by the   junior college in the same field has been successful;                      (C) [(3)]  whether those degree programs would   unnecessarily duplicate the degree programs offered by other   institutions of higher education; and                      (D) [(4)]  the ability of the junior college to   support the degree programs with student enrollment [program] and   the adequacy of the junior college's facilities, faculty,   administration, libraries, and other resources.          (e-1)  A public junior college may offer a baccalaureate   degree program under this section only if its junior college   district meets the taxable property valuation amount established in   Section 130.032.          (g-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (g), a degree program   created under Subsection (b-4) may be funded only by a public junior   college's proportionate share of state appropriations under   Section 130.003, local funds, and private sources.  This subsection   does not require the legislature to appropriate state funds to   support a degree program created under Subsection (b-4).          (h)  Each biennium, each public junior college offering a   baccalaureate degree program under this section shall conduct a   review of each baccalaureate degree program offered and prepare a   [biennial] report on the operation, quality, and effectiveness of   those [the junior college's baccalaureate] degree programs. A [and   shall deliver a] copy of the report shall be delivered to the   coordinating board in the form and at the time determined by the   coordinating board.          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.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.