1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; postsecondary; MnSCU course and credit policies; 
1.3 	requiring a report; appropriating money.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PATHWAYS.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Regulate MnSCU baccalaureate transfers. The Board of Trustees 
1.7 	of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall implement new transfer pathways 
1.8 	for associate of arts degrees, associate of science degrees, and associate of fine arts degrees 
1.9 	toward baccalaureate degree programs. The implementation must, to the greatest extent 
1.10 	possible, be done in accordance with the implementation plan, including its timeline, 
1.11 	developed pursuant to Laws 2014, chapter 312, article 1, section 12.
1.12 		Subd. 2.New or enhanced bachelor of applied science degrees. The board, in 
1.13 	consultation with system constituency groups, is encouraged to create a plan to enhance or 
1.14 	develop new bachelor of applied science degree programs in areas of high employment 
1.15 	need in the state to facilitate transfer pathways for students with associate of applied 
1.16 	science degrees.
1.17 		Subd. 3.Report. By March 15, 2016, the board must report to the chairs and 
1.18 	ranking minority members of the committees with jurisdiction over higher education on 
1.19 	the status of implementation of transfer pathways under subdivision 1 and any deviations 
1.20 	from the implementation plan.

1.21 	Sec. 2. MNSCU; APPROPRIATION.
 2.1 	$500,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2016 from the general fund to the Board of 
2.2 	Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for the purposes of section 1, 
2.3 	subdivision 1.