SB 1368

Present law designates a curriculum of courses leading to a quality non-degree credential (QNDC) at a Tennessee college of applied technology is an eligible program of study for purposes of the Tennessee p romise scholarship program. Present law specifies five criteria that a credential indicating satisfactory completion of a workforce training program must meet in order to be a QNDC, one of which is culminating in an industry certification. This bill add s that a program culminating in a registered apprenticeship, occupational licensure, or certificate may also qualify as a QNDC. Present law establishes requirements for candidate searches to fill a position of chief executive officer of a public instituti on of higher education. The requirements include confidentiality of application materials of candidates who are not selected as finalists, authorizing a search committee to select up to three finalists for a position, public notice, and public meetings. This bill makes the requirements for candidate searches applicable to searches for the position of executive director of the Tennessee higher education commission (THEC). This bill also clarifies that the requirements apply to candidate searches for the c hief executive of a TCAT or locally governed state university. This bill requires THEC to develop and evaluate postsecondary access and career readiness initiatives across the state to advise Tennesseans of affordable opportunities for education and trai ning, skill development, and credential attainment in alignment with this state's education and workforce needs. Present law requires THEC to annually review tuition and other institutional fees charged to students attending state institutions of higher education. After the review, THEC is requires to approve a tuition and fee policy binding upon all state institutions of higher education. The policy: (1) Only applies to tuition and fees charged to undergraduate students classified as Tennessee resid ents; and (2) Must include one range for any proposed modification to the current tuition rates and one range for any proposed modification to the combined total amount of tuition and all mandatory fees assessed. This bill authorizes THEC to approve se parate maximum allowable tuition and fee increases for one or more public institutions of higher education that differ from the general tuition and fee policy if THEC determines that a separate tuition and fee policy for an institution is necessary based o n the circumstances or needs of the respective institution. Present law requires THEC to establish a formal process for identifying capital investment needs and determining priorities for these investments for consideration by the governor and the genera l assembly as part of the annual appropriations act. This bill limits such requirement to the establishment of a formal process for identifying capital investment needs for consideration by the governor and the general assembly as part of the annual appr o priations act. Present law generally requires THEC to review and approve or disapprove all proposals for new degrees or degree programs or for the establishment of new academic departments or divisions within the various institutions of higher learning. This bill authorizes THEC to delegate some or all of such approval powers to its executive director. This bill requires THEC to develop policies and procedures governing the process for conducting the approval or disapproval of a new degree or degree pr o gram. This bill authorizes THEC to delegate to its executive director THEC's authority to review and approve or disapprove all proposals by any existing higher education institution to establish a physical presence at any location other than its main cam pus, to extend an existing location that will be utilized for administrative purposes, or to offer courses for which academic credit is offered. This bill deletes an obsolete reporting requirement. ON MARCH 24, 2025, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1368, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 adds that THEC , as part of the formal process established pursuant to the bill for identifying capital investment needs for consideration by the governor and the general assembly as part of the annual ap propriations act , must (i) a nnually submit a list of capital projects that meet the necessary requirements for funding consideration, as established by the commission; and (ii) c ategorize capital projects, as applicable, as w orkforce development needs and goals; i nstitutional research needs and goals; i nstitutional priorities for consideration due to time sensitivity or other extenuating circumstances; or f acility renovation or optimization needs.