Bill > HB5202

This bill addresses the governance of public higher education institutions in Texas by introducing several key provisions. First, it establishes guidelines for faculty councils or senates, specifying that these bodies can only be created by a governing board, are advisory in nature, and cannot have final decision-making authority. The bill mandates that faculty council meetings must be open to the public, with at least 72 hours' notice posted online and in student newspapers, and all votes must be recorded and made public. Additionally, the bill prohibits institutions from requiring courses that promote certain ideas about race, privilege, or differential treatment based on race or ethnicity, with narrow exceptions for specific academic contexts like ethnic studies, historical discussions of discrimination, and medical or scientific research. The legislation also affirms that the institution's governing board has final authority over degree programs and curricula, and allows boards to remove courses from their comprehensive list if they have not been taught for two consecutive academic years. Existing faculty councils or senates will be abolished by October 1, 2025, unless they are ratified by the institution's governing board or established in compliance with the new guidelines. The bill is set to apply from the 2025-2026 academic year and will take effect either immediately with a two-thirds legislative vote or on September 1, 2025.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5202