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

89(R) HB 2893 - Introduced version - Bill Text

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.