Bill Caption

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

Fiscal Notes

State

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be estimated at this time, but it could result in a net decrease in General Revenue associated with the bill due to decreased formula funding at general academic and health related institutions, and partially offset by increased formula funding at public junior colleges in fiscal years 2018-2020. The bill could result in a net decrease in tuition and fee revenue at general academic institutions and health related institutions due to estimated declines in enrollment in certain programs. The net change in General Revenue and institutional funds for institutions of higher education will depend on the number of baccalaureate degree programs offered by public junior colleges and the number of students who choose to enroll in those programs instead of programs at general academic institutions or health related institutions.

Local Government

Based on information provided by a sample of community colleges, the establishment of additional baccalaureate degree programs for eligible community colleges under the provisions of the bill could result in a significant fiscal impact for those community colleges to cover start-up and operating costs. Such costs include, but are not limited to, securing proper regional accreditation, upgrading facilities and libraries to accommodate upper division coursework, and costs associated with faculty salary and workload. This analysis assumes these costs would be paid for out of institutional funds, partially offset by any state appropriations from formula funding.

Bill Analysis

HB 1384 would allow the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to authorize baccalaureate degree programs for nursing at public junior colleges that show a workforce need. The program would be funded only by the public junior college's proportionate share of state appropriations, local funds, and private sources for the first two years. In third, fourth, and fifth years, state appropriations would be limited to 50 percent of the total amount of funds required to support the degree program. The bill would remove the limit on the number of baccalaureate programs offered by a junior college and instead allow THECB to apply the same standards used for a similar program at four year institutions on a case by case basis.  

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill affirms the principle of a free market by allowing public junior colleges to meet a need for certain types of careers in the workforce.  This would also allow students to gain a degree by choosing a less costly institution. For this reason, we support HB 1384.