Bill > HJR85

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to establish two new special funds in the Texas state treasury: the permanent instruction in manufacturing and technical workforce operations fund and the available instruction in manufacturing and technical workforce operations fund. These funds are designed to provide dedicated funding for capital projects and equipment purchases for the Texas State Technical College System and specific component institutions of the Texas State University System. The permanent fund will be initially seeded with $1.5 billion on January 1, 2026, and will be managed by the comptroller, who will distribute up to 5.5% of the fund's fair market value annually to the available fund. Two-thirds of the distributed funds will go to the Texas State Technical College System, and one-third will go to specific Lamar System institutions, with strict restrictions on how the money can be used - prohibiting spending on athletics or auxiliary enterprises. The amendment also modifies existing constitutional provisions related to higher education funding and ensures that the new funding does not impair existing bond obligations. The proposed amendment will be submitted to voters in a November 4, 2025 election, with a ballot describing the creation of these new funds to support technical and manufacturing educational programs.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HJR85