Brief⁽¹⁾

H.B. 2060 concerns community colleges. Under the current law, the term "credit hour" is defined as one hour of instruction per week for 18 weeks (or the equivalent). The amendment delegates to the State Board of Education the responsibility to define the term. (The requirement that such credit hours be associated with subject or courses normally offered to freshmen and sophomores in four-year institutions of postsecondary education is not changed.)

Background

H.B. 2060, as introduced, was recommended by the State Board of Education. A member of the State Board explained that the amendment would permit the Board to define community college "credit hour" similarly to the definition used by the State Board of Regents and most other institutions of higher education in Kansas which is one hour per week for 15 weeks. The president of the Kansas City, Kansas Community College also expressed support for the bill.

The State Department of Education reported that the bill, as introduced, would have no fiscal implications for FY 2000. This would be the case as long as the change does not affect the number of credit hours taught.

The Senate Education Committee removed a provision, added by amendment in the House Committee of the Whole, that authorized community colleges to enter into agreements for off-campus instruction at Fort Riley Military Reservation and McConnell Air Force Base.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html.