Bills › 91st General Assembly
Establishing a pilot program that authorizes eligible community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees
Sponsored by the House Higher Education Committee
Topics:Higher education
Same legislation: HSB 533
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedJanuary 13, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 13, 2026
- Done: House committeeJanuary 28, 2026
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 4, 202656–36
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Some community colleges could start a pilot program to offer four-year bachelor's degrees. To do this, the college must be located a certain distance away from existing universities and teach programs in high-demand jobs. These new degree programs cannot be taught entirely online.1
Read the official explanation
This bill establishes a pilot program that authorizes eligible community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees. The pilot program is to be administered by the department of education pursuant to rules adopted by the state board of education. The bill establishes requirements related to the rules adopted by the state board of education, including requiring that the rules provide that a community college shall not offer a degree program that leads to a baccalaureate degree unless the community college’s main campus is located at least miles from the main campus of an institution of higher education governed by the state board of regents or the main campus of a private institution of higher education that is already offering the degree program that the community college proposes to offer. In addition, the rules must provide that a community college shall not offer a degree program that leads to a baccalaureate degree unless: the degree program is in certain specified fields; instruction provided in courses within the degree program is not delivered entirely over the internet; and the degree program consists of accredited programs of study or academic majors that lead to jobs that address a high-demand, sustained, and unmet workforce need within the community college region. The bill establishes reporting requirements related to the pilot program. The bill defines “main campus” and “private institution of higher education”.
Changed since by amendment H-8022; see Amendments.
Senate subcommittee
Named March 12, 2026. On March 18, 2026 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
Fiscal note
Cost: up to $100,000 Compare with other bills
AI summary This bill creates a pilot program that allows eligible community colleges to offer certain baccalaureate degrees. The Department of Education estimates a one-time cost of $100,000 to expand its curriculum database system, but the total fiscal impact of the bill is unknown. Any other costs to implement the bill will be covered by existing staff within the Bureau of Community Colleges.3
From the note: The fiscal impact of the Bill is unknown and will vary depending on how quickly and how many new baccalaureate programs are created during the pilot program. The DE estimates a one- time cost of $100,000 to expand STICS. Any additional costs to implement the requirements of this Bill will be absorbed by existing staff within the Bureau of Community Colleges.
- Community Colleges, Baccalaureate Degrees · March 16, 2026 · $100,000
- Community Colleges, Baccalaureate Degrees · March 3, 2026 · $100,000
- Community Colleges, Baccalaureate Degrees · February 26, 2026
Family tree
Study bill
91st General Assembly