85R1686 KEL-D     By: Hernandez H.B. No. 254       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a single common course numbering system for public   institutions of higher education in this state.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 61.822(b), Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (b)  Each institution of higher education shall adopt a core   curriculum of not [no] less than 42 semester credit hours,   including specific courses comprising the curriculum. The core   curriculum shall be consistent with the single common course   numbering system approved by the board under Section 61.832(a) and   with the statement, recommendations, and rules issued by the board.   An institution may have a core curriculum of other than 42 semester   credit hours only if approved by the board.          SECTION 2.  Section 61.830, Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 61.830.  PUBLICATION OF GUIDELINES ADDRESSING TRANSFER   PRACTICES. In its course catalogs and on its website, each   institution of higher education shall publish guidelines   addressing the practices of the institution regarding the transfer   of course credit. In the guidelines, the institution must use    [identify a course by using] the single common course numbering   system as required by Section 61.832 to identify each of its offered   courses for which a common number designation and course   description are included by the board in that system [approved by   the board].          SECTION 3.  Section 61.832, Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 61.832.  COMMON COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM. (a) The board   shall approve a single common course numbering system for   lower-division courses to facilitate the transfer of those courses   among institutions of higher education by promoting consistency in   course designation and identification.          (b)  The board shall solicit input from institutions of   higher education regarding the development of the single common   course numbering system.          (c)  Each institution of higher education shall:                (1)  use the approved common course numbering system in   the institution's guidelines regarding the transfer of course   credit for each course for which a common number designation and   course description are included by the board in that system; and                (2)  include the applicable course numbers from the   approved common course numbering system in its course catalogs and   other course listings.          (d)  The board may approve only a common course numbering   system already in common use in this state by one or more   institutions of higher education.          (e) [(c)]  The board shall cooperate with institutions of   higher education in any additional development or alteration of the   common course numbering system approved under Subsection (a),   including the taxonomy to be used, and in the development of rules   for the administration and applicability of the system.          (f)  Each institution of higher education must certify   annually to the board the accuracy of the institution's   identification, in its course catalogs and other course listings,   of each course offered by the institution for which a common number   designation and course description are included by the board in the   common course numbering system. As part of the certification   required by this subsection, the institution shall specify each of   its offered courses for which a common number designation and   course description are included in that system and each of its   offered courses for which a common number designation and course   description are not included in that system. The institution also   shall include with its certification a current, publicly accessible   website address at which the institution publishes its guidelines   regarding the transfer of course credit.          (g)  The board may, based on the board's review of the   information certified under Subsection (f), recommend corrective   action to an institution's governing board if the institution fails   to comply with the requirements of this section. In its next   legislative appropriations request made to the legislature, the   board shall identify each institution that fails to comply with the   board's recommended corrective action.          (h)  Not later than June 1, 2018, the board shall:                (1)  approve a single common course numbering system as   required by Subsection (a); and                (2)  establish a timetable that requires institutions   of higher education to phase in the inclusion of the applicable   course numbers from the approved common course numbering system in   their individual guidelines regarding the transfer of course credit   and in their individual course numbering systems as required by   this section so that each institution fully complies with this   section for each course that is offered during the 2022-2023   academic year or a subsequent academic year and for which a common   number designation and course description are included by the board   in that system.          (h-1)  Subsection (h) and this subsection expire January 1,   2024.          [(d)     An institution of higher education shall include in its   course listings the applicable course numbers from the common   course numbering system approved by the board under this section.   For good cause, the board may grant to an institution of higher   education an exemption from the requirements of this subsection.]          SECTION 4.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this   section, the change in law made by this Act applies beginning with   the 2018-2019 academic year.          (b)  The change in law made by this Act in adding Sections   61.832(f) and (g), Education Code, applies beginning with the   2022-2023 academic year.          SECTION 5.  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.