BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 102
89R21369 KJE-F	By: Wilson (Hancock)
	Veteran Affairs
	4/28/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

H.B. 102 creates early registration for military students in good standing in a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program, a corp of cadets, including at a senior military college, or at a maritime academy.

Details

� H.B. 102 applies to an institution of higher education if it fully provides early registration for courses or programs for any group of students. The institution must expand this to military students as listed above�providing early registration for courses and programs.

� The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt the rules as necessary to implement and administer this section.

� This applies for 2026 spring semester courses and programs.

� It takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Rationale

Students in military programs typically have trouble registering for classes since they have to do military-related programs within their study, and not just regular classes, unlike traditional students. To help this, H.B. 102 mandates that military-related students must get early registration for the institution's courses/programs if they are eligible and in good standing. 

H.B. 102 amends current law relating to early registration for students in military-related programs at public institutions of higher education.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Section 51.9835, Education Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.9835, as follows:

Sec. 51.9835. EARLY REGISTRATION FOR STUDENTS IN MILITARY-RELATED PROGRAMS. (a) Defines "institution of higher education."

(b) Requires an institution of higher education, if the institution provides early registration for courses or programs for any group of students, to provide early registration for those courses or programs for students who are:

(1) enrolled and in good standing in a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program;

(2) members in good standing in a corps of cadets, including a corps of cadets at a senior military college; or

(3) enrolled and in good standing in a maritime academy.

(c) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in consultation with institutions of higher education, to adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer this section.

SECTION 2. Provides that Section 51.9835, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with registration for a course or program for the 2026 spring semester.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.