SB 701: Higher education; authorizing the approval of functional exceptions; expanding classes and programs offered to the people of Muskogee. Effective date. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from a House version that established a five-year moratorium on various higher education course and program restrictions to a Senate version that focuses exclusively on establishing a new Northeastern State University branch in Broken Arrow. The Senate version removes the moratorium on institutional restrictions and instead authorizes the State Regents to determine appropriate course offerings for the new Broken Arrow branch, while also mandating specific funding levels for the institution.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed from a broad moratorium on multiple higher education restrictions across various institutions to a specific authorization for a new Northeastern State University branch in Broken Arrow.

SCOPE

Removed the five-year moratorium on course and program restrictions for multiple institutions including Northern Oklahoma College, Connors State College, and various branches of Oklahoma State University.

Added authorization for the State Regents to establish a Northeastern State University branch in Broken Arrow with lower and upper division undergraduate and graduate course offerings.

FISCAL

Added specific funding requirements mandating that Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow be funded at least at the fiscal year 1998 level and protected from budget reductions.

DEFINITION

Changed the codification section from creating a new section (4675) to amending existing Section 4668 to reflect the new Broken Arrow branch establishment.

REQUIREMENT

Removed provisions regarding functional exceptions and the definition of functional exception that allowed institutions to offer courses outside their assigned mission.

House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill → Floor (House) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was converted from a Senate Committee Substitute version to the House Floor version, primarily changing the header information to reflect it is now the House floor version. The substantive policy content regarding the moratorium on higher education course and program restrictions remains unchanged. This is a procedural update rather than a policy change.

TECHNICAL

Header changed from 'STATE OF OKLAHOMA' to 'HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION' to reflect the bill's current stage in the legislative process.

Page headers were updated from 'Req. No. 13548' to 'SB701 HFLR' with added notes indicating bold face denotes Committee Amendments.

Committee report attribution changed from 'AQH 04/16/25' to 'COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION OVERSIGHT, dated 04/16/2025 - DO PASS, As Amended'.

Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 → House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to change the committee designation from 'Proposed Policy Committee Substitute' to 'Committee Substitute' and added new committee members to the bill's authorship. The substantive content of the higher education moratorium and restrictions remains unchanged.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; only formatting and authorship information were updated.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill title from 'Proposed Policy Committee Substitute' to 'Committee Substitute' to reflect the House Committee's amendment.

Added House committee members Hasenbeck and Marti to the list of bill sponsors alongside the original Senate sponsors.

Updated the bill's request number from 13400 to 13548 and changed the date from 03/27/25 to 04/16/25 to reflect the House Committee's amendment date.

Enrolled (final version) → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill completely replaces the original version, removing specific provisions for individual universities and creating a broader moratorium on course restrictions across the state. The new version establishes a five-year pause on various limitations that prevent colleges from offering certain courses, while also defining a 'functional exception' process for expanding institutional missions to meet workforce needs.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from targeting specific university locations and programs to applying statewide restrictions on course offerings across all institutions in the State System of Higher Education.

SCOPE

Removed specific provisions creating a University Center at Ponca City with a dedicated nine-member board of trustees and exclusive authority for Northern Oklahoma College to offer lower division courses there.

Changed from amending specific sections of the Oklahoma Statutes to creating a new codified section (70 O.S. 4675) that applies broadly to all institutions in the State System of Higher Education.

TIMELINE

Added a five-year moratorium (starting July 1, 2025) on various course and program restrictions across the state's higher education system.

DEFINITION

Added a formal definition of 'functional exception' allowing institutions to offer courses outside their assigned mission to meet unmet workforce needs.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed specific restrictions for individual universities including Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, Langston University, Northeastern State University, and Tulsa Community College.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement that any restrictions preventing two-year colleges from offering upper division courses must be suspended during the moratorium period.

Engrossed → Enrolled (final version) · 6 edits · May 28, 2025

MODERATE

The bill evolved from a single campus expansion for Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow to a comprehensive higher education reform package covering multiple institutions. The final version adds new definitions for functional exceptions, creates a new University Center at Ponca City with a nine-member board, and expands course offerings across seven different universities including Northeastern State, Oklahoma State University, and Langston University.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded significantly from a single campus location change to a multi-institutional reform affecting seven different Oklahoma State System of Higher Education institutions, including new authority for functional exceptions and creation of a new university center.

DEFINITION

Added new definition for 'functional exception' allowing institutions to offer courses outside their assigned mission to meet workforce needs.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new University Center at Ponca City with a nine-member board of trustees, exclusive authority for Northern Oklahoma College to offer lower division courses, and provisions for local physical plant accommodations.

Added provisions for University Center at Ponca City including board creation, term limits for trustees, budget authority, and employee benefits.

SCOPE

Expanded course offerings and removed duplication limitations for Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, and Langston University in Tulsa.

Added authority for State Regents to approve functional exceptions and make educational resources available to people in Muskogee area.

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from July 1, 2025 to unspecified date in final version.

Amended And Engrossed → Engrossed · 5 edits · May 21, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift its focus from establishing a new branch of Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow to approving functional exceptions for various universities across Oklahoma. The original version created a specific branch location and detailed governance structures, while the amended version broadens authority to allow universities to offer courses outside their assigned missions to meet workforce needs.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a single university branch establishment to a broader authorization for multiple institutions to offer courses and programs outside their traditional missions.

SCOPE

Changed from establishing a specific Northeastern State University branch in Broken Arrow to authorizing functional exceptions for multiple universities including Ponca City, Muskogee, Tulsa, and others.

DEFINITION

Added definition of 'functional exception' as an expansion or exception to assigned institutional function or mission to permit institutions to offer courses outside their traditional mission.

REQUIREMENT

Removed detailed provisions for creating a nine-member board of trustees, specific term expiration dates, and governance structure for the University Center at Ponca City.

TIMELINE

Changed effective date from July 1, 2001 to July 1, 2025, and removed specific academic year references tied to the original 2001-2002 timeframe.

FISCAL

Removed specific funding requirements including minimum funding levels tied to 1998 fiscal year and provisions for revolving funds in the Office of State Finance.

Introduced → Amended And Engrossed · 5 edits · May 21, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was significantly amended to completely rewrite its purpose. The original version focused only on establishing a Northeastern State University branch in Broken Arrow with specific funding levels. The amended version now creates a broader higher education bill that adds new definitions for 'functional exceptions,' establishes a University Center at Ponca City with a new nine-member board, and expands course offerings across multiple institutions including Langston University, Rogers University, and Oklahoma State University-Tulsa.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a single institution (Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow) to multiple institutions across the state system, including new provisions for the University Center at Ponca City and expanded course offerings at several other universities.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'functional exception' allowing institutions to offer courses outside their assigned mission to meet workforce needs.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new nine-member board of trustees for the University Center at Ponca City with specific appointment terms and expiration dates.

SCOPE

Expanded the bill to include amendments for multiple institutions including Langston University, Rogers University, and Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, not just Northeastern State University.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provisions allowing the State Regents to approve functional exceptions for institutions to serve unmet workforce needs.

FISCAL

Removed specific funding requirements that mandated Northeastern State University receive funding at least at its 1998 fiscal year level.

Higher education; authorizing the approval of functional exceptions; expanding classes and programs offered to the people of Muskogee. Effective date.

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