Relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and certificate programs, a faculty council or senate, training for members of the governing board, and the establishment, powers, and duties of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman.

89(R) SB 37 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

S.B. No. 37

AN ACT

relating to the governance of public institutions of higher

education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and

certificate programs, a faculty council or senate, training for

members of the governing board, and the establishment, powers, and

duties of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Office of

the Ombudsman.

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

ARTICLE 1. CURRICULUM AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

SECTION 1.01. Subchapter F, Chapter 51, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 51.315 to read as follows:

Sec.

51.315.

GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM REVIEW. (a) In

this section:

(1)

"General education curriculum" means a core

curriculum, as that term is defined by Section 61.821, and any other

curriculum or competency all undergraduate students of an

institution of higher education are required to complete before

receiving an undergraduate degree.

(2)

"Governing board" and "institution of higher

education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

(b)

At least once every five years, the governing board of

each institution of higher education shall conduct a comprehensive

review of the general education curriculum established by the

institution.

In reviewing an institution's general education

curriculum, the governing board shall ensure courses in the

curriculum:

(1)

are foundational and fundamental to a sound

postsecondary education;

(2)

are necessary to prepare students for civic and

professional life;

(3)

equip students for participation in the workforce

and in the betterment of society; and

(4)

ensure a breadth of knowledge in compliance with

applicable accreditation standards.

(c)

In reviewing the general education curriculum of an

institution of higher education under Subsection (b), the governing

board of the institution shall consider the potential costs the

curriculum may impose on students, including for additional

tuition, fees, and time a student must spend to complete an

undergraduate degree program at the institution.

(d)

Each institution of higher education shall annually

submit to the governing board of the institution an update

regarding any changes to the general education curriculum offered

at the institution. The governing board may reserve the right to

overturn any decision made by the institution regarding any changes

to the general education curriculum offered at the institution.

(e)

The governing board of an institution of higher

education may appoint a committee to assist the governing board in

carrying out its duties under this section, including by making

recommendations to the governing board. Members of the committee

may include:

(1) faculty employed full time by the institution;

(2) institution administrators;

(3) community leaders;

(4) industry representatives; and

(5) other individuals selected by the governing board.

(f)

Not later than January 1 of each year a review is

conducted under this section, the governing board of each

institution of higher education shall certify the governing board's

compliance with this section to the Texas Higher Education

Coordinating Board and each standing legislative committee and

subcommittee with primary jurisdiction over higher education.

SECTION 1.02. Section 51.354, Education Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 51.354. INSTITUTIONAL
AUTHORITY AND
RESPONSIBILITY.

(a) The final decision-making authority on matters regarding an

institution of higher education's degree programs and curricula

belongs to the institution. The institution shall make the

decisions on those matters under the direction of the institution's

governing board.

(b)
In addition to specific responsibilities imposed by

this code or other law, each institution of higher education has the

general responsibility to serve the public and, within the

institution's role and mission, to:

(1) transmit culture through general education;

(2) extend knowledge;

(3) teach and train students for professions;

(4) provide for scientific, engineering, medical, and

other academic research;

(5) protect intellectual exploration and academic

freedom;

(6) strive for intellectual excellence;

(7) provide educational opportunity for all who can

benefit from postsecondary education and training; and

(8) provide continuing education opportunities.

SECTION 1.03. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 51.989 to read as follows:

Sec.

51.989.

REVIEW OF MINOR DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE

PROGRAMS. (a)

In this section, "governing board" and "institution

of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

(b)

The president or chief executive officer of an

institution of higher education shall adopt and implement a process

for reviewing minor degree and certificate programs offered by the

institution to identify programs with low enrollment that may

require consolidation or elimination.

(c)

The criteria for review under Subsection (b) must

require that minor degree and certificate programs have specific

industry data to substantiate workforce demand to avoid

consideration for consolidation or elimination.

(d)

A minor degree or certificate program that has operated

less than five years at the time the president or chief executive

officer of an institution of higher education conducts the review

under this section is exempt from that review.

(e)

The governing board of an institution of higher

education shall approve or deny any decision made by the president

or chief executive officer of the institution to consolidate or

eliminate a minor degree or certificate program as a result of the

review conducted under this section.

(f)

The president or chief executive officer of an

institution of higher education shall conduct a review under this

section once every five years.

SECTION 1.04. Section 61.052, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a-1)

A governing board may exclude from the comprehensive

list of courses submitted under Subsection (a) courses that were

not taught as an organized class or provided through individual

instruction for the preceding two academic years.

SECTION 1.05. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 61.0522 to read as follows:

Sec.

61.0522.

GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM ADVISORY

COMMITTEE. (a) In this section:

(1)

"Advisory committee" means the general education

curriculum advisory committee established under this section.

(2)

"General education curriculum" has the meaning

assigned by Section 51.315.

(b)

The board shall establish an advisory committee to

review the general education curriculum requirements of

institutions of higher education.

(c)

The board shall call for nominations from presidents or

chief executive officers, chancellors, and chief academic officers

at all institutions of higher education for representatives to

serve on the advisory committee. The board shall select a number of

representatives determined by the board from those nominated with

nominees drawn equally from two-year and four-year institutions.

(d)

The advisory committee shall consider methods for

determining general education curriculum component courses and for

condensing the number of general education curriculum courses

required at institutions of higher education.

(e)

Not later than November 1, 2026, the advisory committee

shall produce a report regarding the advisory committee's findings

and recommendations under this section and provide the report to

the board.

(f)

Not later than December 31, 2026, the board shall review

the advisory committee's report and submit to the legislature the

board's recommendations for legislative or other action necessary

to implement the findings of the report.

(g)

The advisory committee is abolished and this section

expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 1.06. Not later than January 1, 2027, the governing

board of each public institution of higher education shall:

(1) complete the governing board's initial review in

accordance with Section 51.315, Education Code, as added by this

Act; and

(2) certify compliance with Section 51.315, Education

Code, as added by this Act, as required by Subsection (f) of that

section.

ARTICLE 2. INSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE

SECTION 2.01. Section 51.352, Education Code, is amended by

amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (g) and (h) to read

as follows:

(d) In addition to powers and duties specifically granted by

this code or other law, each governing board shall:

(1) establish, for each institution under its control

and management, goals consistent with the role and mission of the

institution;

(2) appoint the chancellor or other chief executive

officer of the system, if the board governs a university system;

(3) appoint the president or other chief executive

officer of each institution under the board's control and

management and evaluate the chief executive officer of each

component institution and assist the officer in the achievement of

performance goals;

(4)
approve or deny the hiring of an individual for the

position of provost or deputy, associate, or assistant provost by

each institution under the board's control and management;

(5)

collaborate with institutions under its control

and management to
set campus admission standards consistent with

the role and mission of the institution and considering the

admission standards of similar institutions nationwide having a

similar role and mission, as determined by the coordinating board;

and

(6)
[
(5)
] ensure that its formal position on matters

of importance to the institutions under its governance is made

clear to the coordinating board when such matters are under

consideration by the coordinating board.

(g)

The governing board of an institution of higher

education may overturn any hiring decision for the position of vice

president or dean made by the administration of a campus under the

board's control and management.

Action by the governing board

under this subsection shall be implemented by the institution

through appropriate action with respect to the relevant hiring

decision at issue, including rescission of an employment offer,

termination of employment, or termination of an employment

agreement.

(h)

The governing board of each institution of higher

education shall annually submit to the governor, the lieutenant

governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each

member of the legislature a report regarding decisions made by the

governing board for the applicable academic year on any hiring of

administration in which the board approved or denied the hiring

decision or took action under Subsection (g).

SECTION 2.02. Subchapter G, Chapter 51, Education Code, is

amended by adding Sections 51.3522, 51.3523, and 51.3541 to read as

follows:

Sec.

51.3522.

FACULTY COUNCIL OR SENATE. (a)

In this

section, "faculty council or senate" means a representative faculty

organization.

(b)

Only the governing board of an institution of higher

education may establish a faculty council or senate at the

institution. Before establishing the faculty council or senate,

the governing board must adopt a policy governing the selection of

the faculty council's or senate's members that:

(1)

ensures adequate representation of each college

and school of the institution;

(2) requires the members to be faculty members; and

(3)

except as otherwise provided by the governing

board, limits the number of members to not more than 60 with at

least two representatives from each college or school, including:

(A)

one member appointed by the president or

chief executive officer of the institution; and

(B)

the remaining members elected by a vote of

the faculty of the member's respective college or school.

(c)

A faculty council or senate is advisory only and may not

be delegated the final decision-making authority on any matter. A

faculty council or senate shall represent the entire faculty of the

institution of higher education and advise the institution

administration and any system administration regarding matters

related to the general welfare of the institution.

A faculty

council or senate may not issue any statement or publish a report

using the institution's official seal, trademark, or resources

funded by the institution on any matter not directly related to the

council's or senate's duties to advise the institution

administration.

(d)

Service on the faculty council or senate is an

additional duty of the faculty member's employment.

Members of the

faculty council or senate are not entitled to compensation or

reimbursement of expenses for their role as members of the faculty

council or senate unless the expense is on behalf of and approved by

the institution of higher education.

(e)

A member of the faculty council or senate appointed by

the president or chief executive officer of the institution of

higher education in accordance with Subsection (b)(3)(A) may serve

up to six consecutive one-year terms and then may only be

reappointed after the second anniversary of the last day of the

member's most recent term. A member of the faculty council or

senate elected by a vote of the faculty of the member's respective

college or school serves a two-year term, staggered in a manner that

allows approximately one-half of the elected members to be elected

each year, and may only be reelected after the second anniversary of

the last day of the member's most recent term.

(f)

A faculty member serving on the faculty council or

senate may be immediately removed from the council or senate for

failing to conduct the member's responsibilities within the

council's or senate's parameters, failing to attend council or

senate meetings, or engaging in other similar misconduct. A member

of a faculty council or senate may be removed on recommendation of

the institution's provost and approval by the institution's

president or chief executive officer.

(g)

The president or chief executive officer of the

institution of higher education shall appoint a presiding officer,

associate presiding officer, and secretary from the members of the

faculty council or senate.

(h)

The presiding officer appointed under Subsection (g)

shall preside over meetings of the faculty council or senate and

represent the council or senate in official communications with the

institution administration and any system administration.

(i)

Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to a

faculty council or senate.

(j)

The faculty council or senate shall conduct meetings at

which a quorum is present in a manner that is open to the public and

in accordance with procedures prescribed by the president or chief

executive officer of the institution of higher education.

(k)

The faculty council or senate shall broadcast over the

Internet live video and audio, as applicable, of each open meeting

of the council or senate if more than 50 percent of the members of

the council or senate are in attendance.

(l)

The faculty council or senate shall adopt rules for

establishing a quorum.

(m)

The following shall be made available to the public on

the institution of higher education's Internet website not later

than the seventh day before a meeting of the faculty council or

senate:

(1)

an agenda for the meeting with sufficient detail

to indicate the items that are to be discussed or that will be

subject to a vote; and

(2)

any curriculum proposals reviewed by the council

or senate that will be discussed or voted on at the meeting.

(n)

The names of the members in attendance must be recorded

at a meeting in which the faculty council or senate conducts

business related to:

(1)

a vote of no confidence regarding an institution

or system administrator; or

(2)

policies related to curriculum and academic

standards.

(o)

This section may not be construed to limit a faculty

member of an institution of higher education from exercising the

faculty member's right to freedom of association protected by the

United States Constitution or Texas Constitution.

Sec.

51.3523.

SHARED GOVERNANCE. (a)

In this section,

"governing board" and "institution of higher education" have the

meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

(b)

Institutions of higher education in this state shall be

governed by a principle of shared governance, which refers to a

structured decision-making process in which the governing board of

the institution exercises ultimate authority and responsibility

for institutional oversight, financial stewardship, and policy

implementation, while allowing for appropriate consultation with

faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders on matters related

to academic policy and institutional operations. The principle of

shared governance may not be construed to diminish the authority of

the governing board to make final decisions in the best interest of

the institution, students, and taxpayers.

(c)

Administrators at institutions of higher education must

make decisions in a manner that promotes efficiency,

accountability, and responsiveness to state priorities, workforce

needs, and the institution's institutional mission. Faculty and

staff may provide recommendations on academic matters, but that

input is only advisory in nature, ensuring that governing boards

and institutional leadership retain clear and ultimate

decision-making authority. Shared governance structures may not be

used to obstruct, delay, or undermine necessary institutional

reforms or serve as a mechanism for advancing ideological or

political agendas.

Sec.

51.3541.

RESPONSIBILITY OF PRESIDENT OR CHIEF

EXECUTIVE OFFICER. (a) In this section, "governing board"

and

"institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by

Section 61.003.

(b)

The president or chief executive officer of an

institution of higher education shall conduct annual evaluations

for individuals who hold the positions of vice president, provost,

dean, or a similar leadership position that oversees curriculum or

student affairs for the institution and report to the institution's

governing board regarding any decision to remove an individual from

a position described by this subsection.

SECTION 2.03. Section 51.913, Education Code, is amended by

amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as

follows:

(a)
In
[
As used in
] this section
:

(1) "Executive
[
, the term "executive
] search

committee"
means
[
shall mean
] a committee formed by an act of a

board of regents of an institution of higher education, which has as

its primary purpose the evaluation and assessment of candidates and

nominees for the position of
president or
chief executive officer

of a system administration, institution of higher education, or

other agency of higher education [
as defined in Section 61.003 of

this code
].

(2)

"Institution of higher education" and "other

agency of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section

61.003.

(c)

The membership of an executive search committee for a

president or chief executive officer of an institution of higher

education must include at least two members of the institution's

governing board with at least one of those members serving as the

chair.

SECTION 2.04. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 51.9431 to read as follows:

Sec.

51.9431.

GRIEVANCE, HIRING, AND DISCIPLINE

DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY. (a) In this section, "institution of

higher education" and "university system" have the meanings

assigned by Section 61.003.

(b)

Only the president or chief executive officer or provost

of an institution of higher education, university system

administration, or the president's or chief executive officer's,

provost's, or administration's designee may be involved in

decision-making regarding review of a faculty grievance, including

under Section 51.960, or the faculty discipline process.

(c)

A faculty member of an institution of higher education

who does not serve in an administrative leadership position may not

have final decision-making authority on the hiring of an individual

for any faculty or administrative leadership position at the

institution.

ARTICLE 3. COORDINATION AND OVERSIGHT OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER

EDUCATION

SECTION 3.01. Section 61.031, Education Code, is reenacted

and amended to read as follows:

Sec. 61.031.
OFFICE OF OMBUDSMAN
[
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND

COMPLAINTS
]. (a)
In this section:

(1)

"Office" means the Texas Higher Education

Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman established under this

section.

(2)

"Ombudsman" means the individual serving as

ombudsman for the office.

(b)

The board shall establish the Texas Higher Education

Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman to serve as an

intermediary between the legislature and the public and

institutions of higher education, including by answering questions

from the legislature and the public regarding the obligations of an

institution of higher education to students, faculty, employees,

and the public.

The office shall perform the functions described by

this section and coordinate the board's compliance monitoring

functions under Section 61.035.

The ombudsman shall serve as the

director of compliance and monitoring.

(b-1)

The governor, with the advice and consent of the

senate, shall appoint a person to serve as ombudsman.

The ombudsman

serves at the pleasure of the governor.

(c)

The office shall receive and, if necessary, investigate

complaints submitted in accordance with Subsection (d) regarding an

institution of higher education's failure to comply with:

(1) Section 51.315;

(2) Section 51.3522;

(3) Section 51.3525;

(4) Section 51.3541;

(5) Section 51.9431; and

(6) Section 61.0522.

(d)

A student or faculty or staff member at an institution

of higher education who has reason to believe an institution of

higher education has failed to comply with a provision listed under

Subsection (c) may submit a written complaint to the office that:

(1)

provides the individual's name and contact

information;

(2)

states the specific statute the individual

believes has been violated; and

(3)

includes specific facts supporting the

allegation, including:

(A) relevant dates;

(B)

identifying information regarding the

individuals involved; and

(C)

any supporting evidence in the individual's

possession.

(d-1)

An individual is not eligible to file a complaint

under Subsection (d) if the individual has filed with another state

agency, a federal agency, or a court, as applicable, one of the

following against the institution of higher education that is the

subject of the complaint:

(1)

a lawsuit that makes the same or similar

allegations or arises out of the same factual situation; or

(2)

an administrative complaint that makes the same or

similar allegations or arises out of the same factual situation.

(d-2)

The office shall dismiss any complaint that the office

determines was filed in violation of Subsection (d-1).

(d-3)

An individual who knowingly submits a false complaint

under Subsection (d) shall be held responsible for any costs

incurred by the office in conducting an investigation resulting

from the false complaint. The office may refuse to investigate a

future complaint filed by an individual who is found to have

knowingly filed a false complaint.

(e)
The
office
[
board
] shall maintain a file on each written

complaint filed with the board. The file must include:

(1) the name of the
individual
[
person
] who filed the

complaint;

(2) the date the complaint is received by the board;

(3) the subject matter of the complaint;

(4) the name of each
individual
[
person
] contacted in

relation to the complaint;

(5) a summary of the results of the review or

investigation of the complaint; and

(6) an explanation of the reason the file was closed,

if the
office
[
board
] closed the file without taking action other

than to investigate the complaint.

(f)
[
(b)
] The
office
[
board
] shall provide to the

individual
[
person
] filing the complaint and to each
individual

alleged to be involved in the failure to comply
[
person who is a

subject of the complaint
] a copy of the
office's
[
board's
] policies

and procedures relating to complaint investigation and resolution.

(g)

The office shall notify the governing board of the

institution of higher education that is the subject of a complaint

of noncompliance that meets the requirements under Subsection (d)

not later than the fifth day after the date the office receives the

complaint. The governing board of the institution shall respond to

the complaint not later than the 175th day after the date the

governing board receives the notice unless the office has granted

an extension for good cause.

(h)

In investigating a complaint of noncompliance regarding

an institution of higher education received under this section, the

office may request information from the institution. The governing

board of the institution shall respond in writing to the office's

written request for information not later than the 30th day after

the date the institution receives the request.

This subsection may

not be construed to require an institution to provide privileged

information to the office.

(i)

Based on findings related to an investigation under this

section, the office shall submit to the governing board of the

institution of higher education that is the subject of an

investigation under this section a report on the investigation that

includes the office's final determination regarding the

investigation and recommendations based on the conclusions of the

investigation.

(j)
[
(c)
] The
office
[
board
], at least quarterly until

final disposition of the complaint, shall notify the
individual

[
person
] filing the complaint and each
individual alleged to be

involved in the failure to comply
[
person who is a subject of the

complaint
] of the status of the investigation unless the notice

would jeopardize an undercover investigation.

(k)

If, not later than the 180th day after the date the

office submits the report under Subsection (i) to the governing

board of an institution of higher education that is the subject of

an investigation under this section, the office determines the

governing board has not resolved any noncompliance issues

identified in the report, the office shall submit to the ombudsman

and state auditor a report on the noncompliance that includes the

office's recommendations.

(l)

On receipt of a report under Subsection (k), the

ombudsman may recommend to the legislature that the institution of

higher education not be allowed to spend money appropriated to the

institution for a state fiscal year until the institution's

governing board certifies compliance and the state auditor confirms

the institution's compliance.

(m)
[
(d)
] Notwithstanding any other provision of law,

information that relates to a current, former, or prospective

applicant or student of an educational institution and that is

obtained, received, or held by the
office
[
board
] for the purpose of

providing assistance with access to postsecondary education is

confidential and excepted from disclosure under Chapter 552,

Government Code, and may only be released in conformity with the

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.

Section 1232g). The
office
[
board
] may withhold information

prohibited from being disclosed under this subsection without

requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G,

Chapter 552, Government Code.

(n) The office may:

(1)

issue a civil investigative demand in the same

manner as the procedures prescribed by Subchapter B, Chapter 140B,

Civil Practice and Remedies Code, for civil investigative demands

issued by the attorney general or a local prosecuting attorney

under that subchapter; and

(2)

require cooperation from an institution of higher

education in an investigation under this section if the office

determines a complaint of noncompliance with a provision listed

under Subsection (c) is credible.

(o)

The office shall annually submit a report to the

governor, the lieutenant governor, the state auditor, and the chair

of each standing legislative committee with jurisdiction over

higher education regarding:

(1)

the number of complaints of noncompliance with a

provision listed under Subsection (c) received by the office;

(2)

the number of investigations conducted and

substantiated by the office; and

(3)

a summary of the results of investigations

described by Subdivision (2).

SECTION 3.02. Section 61.0512(c), Education Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(c) The board shall review each degree or certificate

program offered by an institution of higher education at the time

the institution requests to implement a new program to ensure that

the program:

(1)
meets a national need or
is needed by the state and

the local community
,
and does not unnecessarily duplicate programs

offered by other institutions of higher education or private or

independent institutions of higher education;

(2) has adequate financing from legislative

appropriation, funds allocated by the board, or funds from other

sources;

(3) has necessary faculty and other resources to

ensure student success; and

(4) meets academic standards specified by law or

prescribed by board rule, including rules adopted by the board for

purposes of this section, or workforce standards established by the

Texas Workforce Investment Council.

SECTION 3.03. Section 61.084, Education Code, is amended by

amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (i) to read as

follows:

(d) The content of the instruction at the training program

shall focus on the official role and duties of the members of

governing boards and shall provide training in the areas of

budgeting, policy development, ethics, and governance. Topics

covered by the training program must include:

(1) auditing procedures and recent audits of

institutions of higher education;

(2) the enabling legislation that creates

institutions of higher education;

(3) the role of the governing board at institutions of

higher education and the relationship between the governing board

and an institution's administration, faculty and staff, and

students, including limitations on the authority of the governing

board;

(4) the mission statements of institutions of higher

education;

(5) disciplinary and investigative authority of the

governing board;

(6) the requirements of the open meetings law, Chapter

551, Government Code, and the open records law, Chapter 552,

Government Code;

(7) the requirements of conflict of interest laws and

other laws relating to public officials;

(8) any applicable ethics policies adopted by

institutions of higher education or the Texas Ethics Commission;

(9) the requirements of laws relating to the

protection of student information under the Family Educational

Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g) or any

other federal or state law relating to the privacy of student

information; [
and
]

(10)
an overview of the legislature, the General

Appropriations Act, and the state budget as those topics relate to

the responsibilities of the governing board;

(11)

an emphasis on the commitment the members of the

governing board are making to:

(A)

the institutions of higher education under

the board's control and management and, if applicable, the

university system;

(B) this state; and

(C) taxpayers of this state; and

(12)
any other topic relating to higher education the

board considers important.

(i)

On completion of a training program under this section,

a member of a governing board shall provide a sworn statement

affirming the member's understanding of the member's duties and

responsibilities.

ARTICLE 4. APPLICABILITY; EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 4.01. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of

this section, this Act applies beginning January 1, 2026.

(b) A faculty council or senate established at a public

institution of higher education before the effective date of this

Act is abolished on September 1, 2025, unless:

(1) the faculty council or senate was established in

the manner prescribed by Section 51.3522, Education Code, as added

by this Act; or

(2) the faculty council's or senate's continuation is

ratified by the institution's governing board before that date

based on a finding by the governing board that the faculty council

or senate meets the requirements of any policy adopted by the

governing board under that section.

(c) A faculty council or senate authorized but not yet

established at a public institution of higher education before the

effective date of this Act may be established only in the manner

prescribed by Section 51.3522, Education Code, as added by this

Act.

SECTION 4.02. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

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President of the Senate

Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 37 passed the Senate on

April 16, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11;

May 28, 2025, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and

requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 29, 2025, House

granted request of the Senate; May 31, 2025, Senate adopted

Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 20,

Nays 11.

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Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 37 passed the House, with

amendments, on May 25, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 85,

Nays 56, one present not voting; May 29, 2025, House granted

request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;

May 31, 2025, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the

following vote: Yeas 83, Nays 47, two present not voting.

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Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

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Date

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Governor