BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2786

By: Creighton

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill sponsor has informed the committee that first responders, such as firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians, dedicate their lives to protecting our communities through selfless service and that their rigorous certification programs and on-the-job training equip them with the core competencies assessed by the Texas Success Initiative. S.B. 2786 exempts certain first responders from the assessment requirements under the Texas Success Initiative.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 2786 amends the Education Code to exempt the following students from assessment requirements under the Texas Success Initiative:

· a student who is certified as an emergency medical technician under the Emergency Health Care Act and employed by a political subdivision;

· a student who is included as fire protection personnel under Government Code provisions relating to regulating and assisting firefighters and fire departments; and

· a student who is elected, appointed, or employed to serve as a peace officer under any law.

The bill applies beginning with the assessment of entering undergraduate students at public institutions of higher education for the 2025 fall semester. The assessment of an entering undergraduate student for an academic term before that semester is covered by the law in effect before the bill's effective date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.