The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Coordinating Board) proposes the repeal of Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 4, Subchapter B, §4.21-4.36 concerning Transfer of Credit, Core Curriculum and Field of Study Curricula. Specifically, the repeal of Subchapter B is in anticipation of establishing a new Subchapter B rules in Title 19, Chapter 4.

In conjunction with this rulemaking, the Coordinating Board is repealing Chapter 27 of the Board Rules that previously implemented the advisory committee requirements of §61.823, and replacing that chapter with new Chapter 1, Subchapter V. The Board proposes to repeal existing Chapter 4, Subchapter B, and, via separate rulemaking, proposes to re-adopt Chapter 4, Subchapter B.

Agency staff conducted more than twenty-four meetings, over a span of six months, using an informal stakeholder workgroup to develop a conceptual framework for both the substantive revisions of rules governing Field of Study Curriculum and transfer of credit between institutions. The stakeholder workgroup was composed of an equal number of representatives from public junior colleges and general academic teaching institutions. The Coordinating Board proposes the repeal of existing Chapter 4, Subchapter B, to implement the proposed new Chapter 4, Subchapter B rules, along with the Texas Transfer Advisory Committee rules in Title 19, Chapter 1, Subchapter V. These rulemakings will address longstanding challenges in the transfer system to enable students to earn and reliably transfer credits among institutions of higher education. These rules create additional certainty for students and institutions toward the ultimate goal of reducing the cost of higher education for Texas families.

Dr. Stacey Silverman, Assistant Commissioner, Academic Quality and Workforce, has determined that for the first five years the repeal is in effect there would be no fiscal implications for state or local governments as a result of repealing the rules.

There is no fiscal impact on small businesses, micro businesses, or rural communities. There is no anticipated impact on local employment.

Dr. Silverman has also determined that for each year of the first five years after the repeal of the rules the public benefit anticipated as a result of administering the sections will be greater clarity in the transfer process and movement toward the long-term goal of reduced cost of education for students who enter higher education at a two-year institution. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the rules.

Government Growth Impact Statement

(1) the rules will not create or eliminate a government program;

(2) implementation of the rules will not require the creation or elimination of employee positions;

(3) implementation of the rules will not require an increase or decrease in future legislative appropriations to the agency;

(4) the rules will not require an increase or decrease in fees paid to the agency;

(5) the rules will not create a new rule but will be replaced by proposed new Subchapter B rules in Title 19, Chapter 4;

(6) the rules will not limit existing rules;

(7) the rules will not change the number of individuals subject to the rules; and

(8) the rules have no affect on the state's economy.

Comments on the proposed repeal may be submitted to Stacey Silverman, Ph.D., Assistant Commissioner, Academic Quality and Workforce, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711 or via email at AQW@highered.texas.gov. Comments will be accepted for thirty days following publication of the proposal in the Texas Register.

The repeal is proposed under Texas Education Code §61.027, which provides the Coordinating Board with general rulemaking authority; Texas Education Code §61.002, which establishes the Coordinating Board as the agency charged to provide leadership and coordination for the Texas higher education system; Texas Education Code §61.051, which provides the Coordinating Board with authority to coordinate institutions of public higher education in promoting quality education; and Texas Education Code §§61.821, 61.8221, 61.823-61.828, 61.830, 61.059(l), 61.059(p), and 61.0593, which provide for the development and implementation of field of study curricula, authorize the Board to form advisory committees to assist the Board, and authorize the Board to adopt rules as necessary. Texas Education Code §61.028(a) authorizes the Board to delegate duties to the Commissioner of Higher Education.

The proposed repeal affects Texas Education Code §61.822.