Bill Text: TX HB3367 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of state authorization reciprocity agreements for postsecondary distance learning courses.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-05-12 - Laid on the table subject to call [HB3367 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB3367-Introduced.html

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84R10049 JSL-F
By: Raney H.B. No. 3367

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of state authorization reciprocity
agreements for postsecondary distance learning courses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.401(2), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(2) "Coordinating board [Board]" means the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board[, Texas College and University
System].
SECTION 2. Section 61.402, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 61.402. REQUISITE APPROVAL. (a) Public institutions
of higher education established outside the boundaries of the State
of Texas must have the approval of the coordinating board before
offering a course or a grouping of courses within the State of
Texas.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a public institution of
higher education may offer a course within this state without the
approval of the coordinating board if the course is provided in
accordance with a state authorization reciprocity agreement
established under Section 61.406.
SECTION 3. Section 61.404, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 61.404. PROCEDURES IN CASE OF VIOLATION. If the
coordinating board obtains evidence that a public institution of
higher education established outside the boundaries of the State of
Texas is in apparent violation of this subchapter or of rules and
regulations adopted pursuant to this subchapter, the coordinating
board shall take appropriate action to terminate its operation
within the boundaries of the State of Texas regardless of whether
the institution participates in a state authorization reciprocity
agreement established under Section 61.406.
SECTION 4. Subchapter H, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.406 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.406. STATE AUTHORIZATION RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT.
(a) The coordinating board on behalf of the state may enter into a
state authorization reciprocity agreement among states, districts,
and territories regarding the delivery of postsecondary distance
education that establishes comparable standards for the provision
of distance education by degree-granting postsecondary educational
institutions in each of the states, districts, or territories
covered by the agreement to students of the other states,
districts, or territories covered under the agreement. The board
shall apply to an appropriate regional organization for that
purpose.
(b) The coordinating board shall administer an agreement
entered into under this section, including by establishing:
(1) an application and approval process for a
degree-granting postsecondary educational institution with its
principal campus located in this state to participate under the
agreement; and
(2) a dispute resolution procedure for complaints
regarding participating postsecondary educational institutions
located in this state.
SECTION 5. Not later than September 1, 2016, the Texas
Higher Education Coordinating Board shall develop and submit to the
Southern Regional Education Board or other appropriate regional
organization a plan and application for entering into a state
authorization reciprocity agreement.
SECTION 6. 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, 2015.