84R922 KEL-D
	By: Taylor of Galveston	S.B. No. 1770

	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 identify
	a course by using the single common course numbering system
	approved by the board under Section 61.832(a).
	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 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)  Not later than June 1, 2016, 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 course numbering systems as required by this section so that
	each institution fully complies with this section for all courses
	offered for the 2020-2021 academic year and subsequent years.
	(f-1)  Subsection (f) and this subsection expire January 1,
	2022.
	[(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.  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.