Higher education; authorizing certain course offerings at certain institutions beginning in certain academic year; allowing duplication of certain courses; effective date.

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ENGROSSED HOUSE
BILL NO. 2854 By: Hasenbeck of the House

and

Seifried of the Senate

An Act relating to higher education; declaring a
moratorium on certain higher education course and
program restrictions; providing for functional
exceptions; defining term; providing for
codification; providing an effective date; and
declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 4675 of Title 70, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. Beginning on the effective date of this act and ending five
(5) academic years thereafter, there is hereby declared a moratorium
on the following higher education course and program restrictions:
1. Northern Oklahoma College's exclusive authority to offer all
lower division courses and programs at the University Center at
Ponca City as provided by subsection B of Section 3213.1 of this
title;

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2. Connors State College's restriction to lower division
classes and programs as provided by subsection B of Section 3405.1
of this title;
3. Northeastern State University Muskogee branch's restriction
to upper division classes and programs and graduate classes at
masters level as provided by subsection B of Section 3405.1 of this
title;
4. Oklahoma State University-Tulsa's restriction to upper
division undergraduate courses and degree programs as provided by
Section 4662 of this title;
5. Oklahoma State University's prohibition from duplicating
undergraduate courses offered by Tulsa Community College as provided
by Section 4665 of this title;
6. Oklahoma State University's prohibition from duplicating
undergraduate degree programs offered by Langston University Branch
in Tulsa as provided by Section 4667 of this title;
7. Langston University Branch in Tulsa's restriction to upper
division undergraduate and graduate courses as provided by Section
4667 of this title;
8. Northeastern State University in Tulsa's restriction to
upper division undergraduate and graduate courses as provided by
Section 4668 of this title;

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9. Oklahoma State University-Tulsa's prohibition from
duplicating undergraduate degree programs offered by Northeastern
State University in Tulsa as provided by Section 4668 of this title;
10. Any restrictions imposed by law preventing two-year
community colleges and junior colleges from offering upper division
undergraduate courses and undergraduate degree programs; and
11. Any other geographical restrictions imposed by law
restricting the offering of undergraduate courses or undergraduate
degree programs at institutions of higher education with The State
System of Higher Education.
B. The State Regents for Higher Education may approve
functional exceptions. As used in this section, "functional
exception" means an expansion or exception to assigned institutional
function or mission to permit an institution of higher education
within The State System of Higher Education to offer courses or
degree programs outside the institution's assigned function or
mission to meet unmet workforce needs.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

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Passed the House of Representatives the 13th day of March, 2025.

Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives

Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2025.

Presiding Officer of the Senate