85R1881 KSD-F
 
  By: Murphy H.B. No. 385
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the elimination of certain formula funding and dropped
  course restrictions for students enrolled in accelerated,
  affordable baccalaureate programs at public institutions of higher
  education.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 51.907, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
         (b-1)  This section does not apply to a student enrolled in
  an accelerated baccalaureate program created in collaboration with
  the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that uses a
  competency-based model and year-round flat-rate tuition to
  facilitate degree completion, as verified by the coordinating
  board.
         SECTION 2.  Section 61.059, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (r) to read as follows:
         (r)  Notwithstanding any other law, the board may not exclude
  from being counted in the hours reported to the Legislative Budget
  Board for formula funding contact hours or semester credit hours
  for a student's enrollment in a course for which the student has
  previously generated formula funding for the same course if the
  student is enrolled in an accelerated baccalaureate program created
  in collaboration with the board that uses a competency-based model
  and year-round flat-rate tuition to facilitate degree completion,
  as verified by the board. 
         SECTION 3.  Section 61.0595, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (f-1) to read as follows:
         (f-1)  In the formulas established under Section 61.059, the
  board shall include without consideration of Subsection (a) or (e)
  funding for semester credit hours earned by a student who is
  enrolled in an accelerated baccalaureate program created by an
  institution in collaboration with the board that uses a
  competency-based model and year-round flat-rate tuition to
  facilitate degree completion, as verified by the board.
         SECTION 4.  Section 51.907(b-1), Education Code, as added by
  this Act, applies beginning with the fall 2017 semester.
         SECTION 5.  The changes in law made by this Act to Sections
  61.059 and 61.0595, Education Code, apply beginning with funding
  recommendations made under Section 61.059, Education Code, for the
  state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2019.
         SECTION 6.  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, 2017.