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AN ACT
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relating to requiring that competency-based baccalaureate degree |
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programs be offered at certain public institutions of higher |
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education. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 51, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 51.3535 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.3535. RESPONSIBILITY OF SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION |
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REGARDING COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Competency-based baccalaureate degree program" |
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has the meaning assigned by Section 56.521. |
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(2) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher |
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Education Coordinating Board. |
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(b) Subject to coordinating board approval under Section |
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61.0512, the system administration of each system shall ensure that |
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one or more institutions of higher education in the system offer |
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competency-based baccalaureate degree programs in each field of |
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study in high demand, as determined by coordinating board rule. |
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(c) Subject to adjustment under Subsection (d), a |
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competency-based baccalaureate degree program offered under this |
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section may not exceed a total cost to an enrolled student of an |
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amount equal to one-half of the average cost of attendance at an |
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institution of higher education, as determined by coordinating |
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board rule. |
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(d) Beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, the |
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coordinating board shall annually adjust the limit described by |
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Subsection (c) for the preceding academic year by the rate of |
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inflation for the preceding academic year, as determined on the |
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basis of changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers |
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published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States |
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Department of Labor. |
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(e) The coordinating board may adopt rules as necessary to |
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administer this section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 51.3535, Education Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 4848 was passed by the House on May |
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16, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 118, Nays 7, 2 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 4848 was passed by the Senate on May |
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28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |