BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 5180
89R24192 RDR-F	By: Wilson (Creighton)
	Education K-16
	5/15/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

When selecting a college or university, many students consider numerous variables to ensure the best choice for their intended career path such as whether an institution is a health-related institution or a general academic institution, or the student's potential to diversify their educational experiences at the institution. However, as the bill author has informed the committee, institutions of higher education that merge, are acquired, or undergo name changes create uncertainty for students regarding the name of the institution that will appear on their diploma, which can consequently result in students receiving diplomas from an institution they have never attended or at which they have never taken classes or had any laboratory experience, nor even visited the campus. Thus, these students may have no affiliation or connection to the institution reflected on their diploma. H.B. 5180 seeks to standardize the process for diploma designation in the event of a merger, acquisition, or name change by requiring a public institution of higher education to provide students two diplomas on the student's graduation, including one with the original institution name and one with the new name.

H.B. 5180 amends current law relating to the issuance of a diploma to a student graduating from a public institution of higher education that has undergone a merger, acquisition, or name change.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.995, as follows:

Sec. 51.995. DIPLOMA DESIGNATION IN EVENT OF MERGER, ACQUISITION, OR NAME CHANGE. (a) Defines "institution of higher education."

(b) Requires an institution of higher education, subject to Subsection (c), if, during the period of a student's enrollment at the institution, the institution merges with or is acquired by another postsecondary educational institution or changes the institution's name, to provide to the student on the student's graduation from the institution two diplomas as follows: one diploma in the same style, design, or format, including symbols or other insignia, designating the original name of the institution on the date the student initially enrolled and one diploma designating the name of the institution after the merger, acquisition, or name change.

(c) Provides that a student is eligible to receive two diplomas under this section only if the student graduates from the institution of higher education within six years of the merger, acquisition, or name change.

(d) Prohibits an institution of higher education from charging a student an additional fee to receive a diploma under this section.

SECTION 2. Provides that Section 51.995, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with a diploma provided by a public institution of higher education to a student for the 2025�2026 academic year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.