85R5854 KJE-D     By: Rodriguez of Bexar H.B. No. 1198       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the filing of a degree plan by students at public junior   colleges.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 51.9685(a)(2), Education Code, is   amended to read as follows:                (2)  "Institution of higher education" and "public   junior college" have [has] the meanings [meaning] assigned by   Section 61.003.          SECTION 2.  Section 51.9685, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:          (c-1)  Notwithstanding Subsections (b) and (c), a student   enrolled in an associate or bachelor's degree program at a public   junior college shall file a degree plan with the college not later   than:                (1)  the end of the second regular semester or term   immediately following the semester or term in which the student   earned a cumulative total of 15 or more semester credit hours of   course credit for courses described by Subsection (b); or                (2)  if the student begins the student's first semester   or term at the college with 15 or more semester credit hours of   course credit for courses described by Subsection (b), the end of   the student's second regular semester or term at the college.          SECTION 3.  Section 51.9685(c-1), Education Code, as added   by this Act, applies beginning with students who initially enroll   in a public junior college for the 2018 fall semester.          SECTION 4.  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.