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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to providing in-person meeting requirements for governing |
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boards of public institutions of higher education; authorizing a |
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civil penalty. |
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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 51.3522 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 51.3522. IN-PERSON MEETING REQUIREMENTS FOR GOVERNING |
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BOARDS. (a) In this section, "coordinating board" means the Texas |
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Higher Education Coordinating Board. |
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(b) Notwithstanding Section 551.127, Government Code, or |
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any other law, each member of the governing board of an institution |
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of higher education must attend at least 75 percent of the governing |
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board's meetings in person each year. |
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(c) If a governing board member fails to meet the |
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requirement under Subsection (b) for any year, the member: |
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(1) for the first violation, is liable to the |
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institution for a civil penalty of $1,000; and |
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(2) for the second violation and notwithstanding any |
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other law, is not eligible for reappointment to the governing board |
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or for appointment to any other governing board. |
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(d) An institution of higher education that receives a civil |
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penalty under Subsection (c)(1) may use that amount only to provide |
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scholarships to students enrolled at the institution. |
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(e) The attorney general, at the request of the coordinating |
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board, may bring a civil action to collect a civil penalty under |
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this section. |
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(f) The coordinating board may adopt rules as necessary to |
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implement and enforce this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026. |