HB2893 - Relating to authorization by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for certain public junior colleges to offer certain baccalaureate degree programs.

  89R8432 AND-F     By: Patterson H.B. No. 2893       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to authorization by the Texas Higher Education   Coordinating Board for certain public junior colleges to offer   certain baccalaureate degree programs.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 130.303(b), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  The coordinating board may authorize baccalaureate   degree programs at one or more public junior colleges if the public   junior college:                 (1)  offers [ that offer ] a degree program in one of the   following:                       (A)   the field of applied science, including a   degree program in the field of applied science with an emphasis in   early childhood education, applied technology, or nursing ; or                       (B)  the field of education; and                 (2)  demonstrates [ have demonstrated ] a workforce need   for the program .          SECTION 2.  Section 130.306(a), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  A public junior college offering a baccalaureate degree   program under this subchapter may not offer more than eight [ five ]   baccalaureate degree programs at any time.          SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies   beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year.          SECTION 4.  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, 2025.