Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board adopts amendments to §5.44 and §5.50, concerning planning authority for degree programs and the delegation of authority for approval of new degree programs at public universities and health-related institutions. Section 5.50 is adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the February 18, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 788). Section 5.44 is adopted without changes and will not be republished.

The amendments to §5.44 change the term planning authority to preliminary authority. The amendments to §5.50 permit the Commissioner to delegate to the Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Research the approval of all new degree programs at public universities and health-related institutions.

The following comments were received regarding the amendments:

Comments: The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found these amendments acceptable.

Response: As a result of this comment, no changes were made to the proposed amendments.

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Education Code, §61.027, which provides the Coordinating Board with general rule-making authority; §61.002, which establishes the Coordinating Board as an agency charged to provide leadership and coordination for the Texas higher education system; and §61.051, which provides the Coordinating Board with authority to coordinate institutions of public higher education in promoting quality education.