Bill

SB 1782

85(R) - 2017
Senate Higher Education
Senate Higher Education

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Royce West

Sponsor(s)

J.M. Lozano

Bill Caption

Relating to the elimination of certain formula funding and dropped course restrictions for returning adult students at public institutions of higher education and to the tuition rate that may be charged to those students for certain excessive undergraduate hours.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

The bill would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to adopt rules requiring institutions to allow students that re-enroll at the institution or another institution of higher education following a break in enrollment covering the preceding 24 months and that have successfully completed at least 50 semester credit hours at an institution of higher education to drop one additional course from the amount currently allowed by the Education Code.

The bill would provide that THECB not exclude semester credit hours for courses taken up to three times by students under this exception for hours reported for formula funding.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Formula funding restrictions are put in place in order to provide an incentive for universities to encourage their students to complete their degrees in a timely manner. This bill infringes on personal responsibility by setting a different, lower, standard for degree completion for certain students. For this reason we oppose SB 1782.