Relating to the establishment of the STEM Excellence Graduate Fellowship program.

89(R) HB 5333 - Engrossed version - Bill Text

89R20469 RDR-F

By: Bonnen

H.B. No. 5333

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the STEM Excellence Graduate

Fellowship program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding

Subchapter W to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER W. STEM EXCELLENCE GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Sec. 61.931. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1)

"Program" means the STEM Excellence Graduate

Fellowship program established under this subchapter.

(2)

"STEM" means science, technology, engineering,

and mathematics.

Sec.

61.932.

ESTABLISHMENT; ADMINISTRATION. (a) The STEM

Excellence Graduate Fellowship program is established as a

merit-based fellowship for high-achieving research doctoral

students in a STEM field.

(b)

Using money appropriated or otherwise available for the

purpose, the board shall award fellowships to eligible students

under the program to conduct research at a general academic

teaching institution.

(c)

The board shall administer the program. The board may

contract with one or more general academic teaching institutions to

assist in administering the program, including receiving and

reviewing applications, recommending the distribution of funds to

general academic teaching institutions, and developing criteria

for the selection of students for the program.

(d)

The board may establish one or more advisory committees

for the purpose of recommending rules for the administration of the

program.

Sec.

61.933.

INITIAL ELIGIBILITY. (a) To be initially

eligible for a fellowship, a student must:

(1) be a United States citizen;

(2)

obtain the federal security clearance required for

the research the student would be performing under the fellowship,

if applicable;

(3)

be a high-achieving student, as determined by the

institution in which the student is enrolled, based on criteria the

institution would otherwise use to award merit-based aid, including

grades, test scores, work, internship, or other experience,

scholarships or awards received, or prior research or publication

by the student;

(4)

be enrolled in a research doctoral degree program

in a STEM field at a general academic teaching institution; and

(5)

comply with any additional requirement adopted by

the board.

(b)

The board may give preference to a student who is a

resident of this state under Subchapter B, Chapter 54.

Sec.

61.934.

CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY. (a) After

establishing initial eligibility to participate in the program

under Section 61.933, a student may continue participating in the

program only if the student:

(1)

maintains a minimum overall grade point average

determined by board rule;

(2)

maintains the required federal security clearance

for the research the student is conducting under the fellowship, if

applicable; and

(3)

complies with any additional requirement adopted

by the board.

(b)

A student may not receive a fellowship under the program

for more than five years.

Sec.

61.935.

GRANTS, GIFTS, AND DONATIONS. The board may

solicit, accept, and spend grants, gifts, and donations from any

public or private source for the purposes of the program.

Sec.

61.936.

RULES. (a) The board, in consultation with

general academic teaching institutions, shall adopt rules for the

administration of the program, including rules providing for the

amount and permissible uses of a fellowship awarded under the

program.

(b)

Notwithstanding Section 61.033, the board is not

required to use negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter

2008, Government Code, for the adoption of rules under this

subchapter.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall

adopt rules necessary to implement Subchapter W, Chapter 61,

Education Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.