HBA-GUM S.B. 1261 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1261
By: Bivins
Higher Education
5/7/1999
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 1997, the 75th Texas Legislature directed the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board (board) to develop a common core curriculum and a field
of study curriculum through advisory boards made up of at least a majority
of faculty members.  While the common core curriculum has been developed,
there has been little progress in developing the field of study curriculum.
S.B. 1261 establishes provisions regarding the appointment of faculty
members to certain curriculum advisory committees of the board and to the
development of a field of study curricula by the board.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 61.821, Education Code, by adding Subdivision
(3), to define "faculty member."  

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 61.822(a), Education Code, to require an
institution to consult with the faculty of the institution before
nominating or recommending a person to the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board (board) as the institution's representative on an
advisory committee aiding in the development of a certain core curriculum. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 61.823(a), Education Code, to authorize, rather
than require, the board to develop a field of study curricula with the
assistance of advisory committees composed of representatives of
institutions of higher education.  Requires an institution to consult with
the faculty of the institution before nominating or recommending a person
to the board as the institution's representative on an advisory committee
aiding in the development of a certain field of study curricula.  

SECTION 4.  Requires the board to conduct a study to examine the need for
and feasibility of developing a field of study curriculum in various fields
of study common to institutions of higher education.  Requires the board to
report the results to certain individuals, not later than September 1,
2000.  

SECTION 5.  Provides that each advisory committee established by board must
include a majority of faculty members, not later than January 1, 2000.  

SECTION 6.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage. 

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Amendment No. 1 reinstates "shall" in SECTION 3 (Section 61.823(a),
Education Code) to require, rather than authorize, the board to develop
field of study curricula with the assistance of advisory committees
composed of representatives of institutions of higher education.