Senate Bill 1368 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to higher education. Key changes include the revision of the definition of programs culminating in industry certifications, which now excludes professional development and similar programs. Additionally, the bill establishes confidentiality for applications and materials related to the selection of chief executive officers at public higher education institutions, allowing for public access only after finalists are selected. It also introduces a requirement for public forums before the governing board votes on appointments and mandates that records related to finalists be made public prior to the vote.

Further amendments focus on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission's responsibilities, including the annual review of tuition and fees, the establishment of a maximum allowable tuition increase policy, and the delegation of certain approval powers to the executive director. The bill also emphasizes the need for a formal process to identify capital investment needs and requires the commission to review proposals for establishing new physical locations for higher education institutions. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance transparency in the hiring process for higher education leaders while also providing a structured approach to tuition regulation and institutional expansion.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-4-902, 49-7-154, 49-7-202(c), 49-7-202, 49-7-202(i), 49-7-202(n), 49-7-202(o), 49-7-202(q)(2)(A), 49-7-202(q), 49-7-214