BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2815
	By: Creighton
	Education K-16
	4/14/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

College diplomas represent a student's academic journey and institutional affiliation. For many, this name holds personal, professional, and historical significance. Students who have graduated from an institution that has merged or rebranded�for financial or strategic reasons�have expressed concerns about graduating under a new institution name that does not reflect their experience.

S.B. 2815 requires Texas public institutions of higher education that undergo a name change due to a merger or rebranding to offer enrolled students the option to receive their diploma with either the new or former institution name.

As proposed, S.B. 2815 amends current law relating to the diploma designation of an institution of higher education.

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 51.997, as follows:

Sec. 51.997. DIPLOMA DESIGNATION IN THE CASE OF A MERGER. Requires an institution of higher education, if the institution, as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code, merges or changes names, to offer each student enrolled at the time of the name change the option to receive a diploma with the new institution name or the former institution name.

SECTION 2. Provides that the changes in law made by this act apply beginning with the 2025�2026 academic year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.