Sunday, June 22, marked the final day for the governor to sign or veto legislation passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session. Over the weekend, several priority bills with direct implications for Austin Community College District (ACC) received final approval.

On Saturday, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill (SB) 1191, which requires school districts to award equal weight and numeric conversion for grades earned in dual credit, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate, and OnRamps courses. ACC provided testimony on the bill this session and did a lot of work behind the scenes to help pass it.

The new law directs the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to develop a standard method for computing grade point averages (GPAs) across all forms of advanced academics. It will go into effect later this year.

Other legislation ACC was following that received Abbott’s approval over the weekend included:

  • HB 120 – Career and Technical Education Pathway Expansion: Gives Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) and Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) students access to Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) eligibility and creates a statewide advising program for career and education planning.
  • HB 2768 – State Agency IT Credentials: Allows state agencies to partner with community colleges on Information Technology (IT) apprenticeship credentials to address state workforce shortages. 
  • HB 2856 – Nursing Clinical Rotation Slots: Directs the Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to study how regional portals for reserving clinical rotations at health care facilities can be created.
  • SB 37 – Higher Education Governance: Gives institutional governing boards more control over faculty senates while also creating a state-level committee charged with reviewing curriculum requirements and a new state office with the power to investigate complaints.
  • SB 365 – Academic Fresh Start: Allows institutions to waive previous academic records for college courses taken more than five years before a Texas resident re-enrolls as an undergraduate student.
  • SB 530 – Accreditation Flexibility: Removes the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) as the only recognized accrediting agency in statute and directs THECB to vet additional accreditors.
  • SB 769 – Reporting on Students with Disabilities: Directs THECB to study disabled student enrollment and recommend services and accommodations for improving student success. 
  • SB 1786 – HB 8 Updates: Expands eligibility for free dual credit courses, tightens the definition of “credentials of value,” and includes students transferring to private institutions as a fundable outcome under HB 8 (88th Regular Legislative Session).
  • SB 2615 – Limitations on Remote Work: Prohibits telework among employees at public colleges and universities unless they have an illness/medical issue, are in a non-teaching position, or are teaching distance education or dual credit classes.
  • SB 2786 – TSI Exemptions for First Responders: Exempts certified medical technicians, peace officers, and fire protection personnel from Texas Success Initiative (TSI) assessment requirements.
  • SB 2972 – Campus Free Speech: Limits speech protections in common outdoor areas to enrolled students and employees while also placing further restrictions on the use of amplified sound, masks, and tents.
  • SB 3039 – Transfer Student Reports and Liaisons: Requires community colleges to designate a transfer liaison and submit a report on courses taken by students transferring to four-year institutions or graduating with an associate degree.

Special Session

Abbott has used his power to call a special session on specific topics to reconvene legislators for an additional 30 days beginning July 21. The state constitution only allows lawmakers to pass bills during special sessions on issues selected by the governor. 

The governor did not include any items related to higher education in his initial call, but additional items can be added to the call list before the special session begins.