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Howdy, Aggie Advocates!
With just two weeks left in the 88th Legislative Session, some of the state's most important decisions are fast approaching. Most notably will be the state's FY24-25 budget. The House and Senate have each passed a state appropriations bill (HB1 for the House and SB1 for the Senate). Since the two bills were not identical, a conference committee was appointed to "iron out" the differences and present a single bill for consideration by both chambers.
The chamber leaders each appointed five members to this conference committee. The conferees are:
House
- Greg Bonnen ’88 (HD-24, Friendswood) (Chair, House Appropriations Committee)
- Mary González (HD-75, Clint)
- Jacey Jetton (HD-26, Richmond)
- Gary VanDeaver (HD-01, New Boston)
- Armando Walle (HD-140, Houston)
Senate
- Brandon Creighton (SD-04, Conroe)
- Joan Huffman (SD-17, Huffman) (Chair, Senate Finance Committee)
- Lois Kolkhorst (SD-18, Brenham)
- Robert Nichols (SD-03, Jacksonville)
- Charles Schwertner (SD-05, Georgetown)
The biennium budget is the only "must-pass" legislation for the Texas Legislature, mandated by the Texas Constitution. For state institutions like Texas A&M, it is the single most important item to come out of the legislative session.
You can find the links to watch or listen to this discussion and catch up on other advocacy topics at the Texas A&M Advocacy Network's Newsroom. We encourage you to learn about these topics, and please reach out if you have questions!
While we await the decisions that will come out of the conference commitee's negotiations, we greatly appreciate our Aggie Advocates who are ready to contact their legislators, if called upon, in support of Texas A&M. Be sure to stay informed of your Representative and Senator's actions and updates by following them on their social media pages and through their newsletters and press releases.
In addition to the budget, there are still a number of bills pending that can greatly impact Texas A&M and its operations. Read on for more information on a few of these bills.
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Other key bills on higher education under consideration
With nearly 11,000 pieces of legislation filed in the 88th Legislature, it should be no surprise that a number of these bills have the potential to impact Texas A&M University or the Texas A&M University System.
Below are a few of the bills with the highest potential for impact and their status as of this writing. Keep track of their status at the Bills section of our Advocacy platform.
Tenure
- In April, the Senate passed SB 18, "relating to tenure and employment status at public institutions of higher education in this state." This bill prohibited institutions of higher education from granting tenure or any type of permanent employment status to any employee. It included a "grandfathering" clause, allowing faculty members who were awarded tenure prior to Sept. 1, 2023, to retain the status.
- In the House, the bill has been amended for consideration by the House Higher Education Committee. In this amended version, the legislation does not eliminate tenure but requires institutions to implement clear guidelines on granting it and conducting regular performance reviews for those who receive it. It also requires policy that details circumstances for which a faculty member's tenure can be revoked.
- Current Status: on May 12, the amended legislation was reported as "favorable" by the House Higher Education Committee, putting it on the path for a vote by the full House. Read more here.
Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium
- Rep. Greg Bonnen ’88 filed HB 3447 creating the first Texas Space Commission and the Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium. The consortium membership of higher education institutions in Texas will identify opportunities for research that promotes development and commercial state activity. This bill was passed in the House on May 1 and referred to the Senate for consideration. The Senate Finance Committee gave the bill a "favorable" report with no amendments on May 10.
- Current Status: pending vote by the Texas Senate. Read more about the legislation here.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Last month, the Senate passed SB 17, "relating to the powers and duties of the governing boards of public institutions of higher education." This bill prohibited public institutions of higher education in Texas from having offices or programs devoted to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). It also banned mandatory diversity training for employees and diversity statements on employee applications.
- In the House Higher Education Committee, a committee substitute, amending the Senate's bill, was submitted. This amended bill would retain the ban on DEI offices and programs, as well as the prohibition on diversity training for employees or students; but allows a path to institute such program if it "complies with state and federal law, or if a federal grant or higher education accrediting agency requires such programs."
- Current Status: on May 12, the amended version was reported "favorable" by the House Higher Education Committee, putting it on the path to go before the full Texas House for a vote.
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Name, Image and Likeness legislation
In 2019, state legislatures began to consider and pass legislation allowing college athletes to be compensated for the use of their name, image or likeness (NIL). To date, more than 30 states — including Texas — have passed some version of NIL for its student athletes.
Any state without an NIL law in place must default to the ever-evolving guidelines set by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Since 2020, the NCAA has continued to amend and change these guidelines. With no national policy on the issue, student athletes must consider the policies of each state when determining the best fit for their collegiate goals and career.
Since the passage of the Texas NIL law in the 87th Legislature, the college sports landscape has continued to evolve. Some states, with full-time legislatures, can respond and adjust NIL law as-needed; but the biennial Texas Legislature can only do so every other year.
Recognizing that Texas' existing NIL law placed Texas student athletes at a disadvantage against their peers from other states, Texas lawmakers have filed legislation to update our NIL policies. HB 2804 unanimously passed in the Texas House of Representatives last month. This week in the Senate, the bill was reported from the Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education to the full Senate Committee on Education for consideration.
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Texas Legislature recognizes Aggie legislative interns
On May 10, the Texas Senate and Texas House of Representatives passed resolutions recognizing 50 Aggie interns and former students working in the 88th Legislative Session. Among these interns are students selected through the Public Policy and the Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Internship Programs, both proudly supported by The Association of Former Students. We thank Representative Andrew Murr ’99 and Senator Pete Flores ’83 for sponsoring the resolutions in the House and Senate!In the Senate, Senator Lois Kolkhorst recognized the Aggies as "future leaders that will do it right." We could not agree more!
Congrats and gig ’em to our Aggies working in the legislature this session!
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Aggie interns in the Texas State House of Representatives (left) and the Texas State Senate (right) were recognized from the chamber floors on May 10, 2023.
Photo credit: James B. Palacios ’17, Texas A&M University Policy Internship Programs
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New Regents appointed; leadership elected
In March, Governor Greg Abbott announced the appointment of David Baggett ’81, John Bellinger ’76 and Sam Torn ’70 to the Texas A &M University System Board of Regents. These individuals will were all appointed to terms set to expire on Feb. 1, 2029. Rolling off the board were Tim Leach ’82, Elaine Mendoza ’87 and Cliff Thomas ’72.The appointments were subject to Senate confirmation. On April 17, the three nominees appeared before the Senate Nominations Committee. Each nominee was introduced by their hometown senator before giving an opening statement. The following week, the committee forwarded the appointments for full Senate confirmation on April 27.
The new regents took part in their first board meeting on May 3. During this meeting, the board unanimously voted to elect Regent Bill Mahomes ’69 as Chair of the Board and Regent Bob Albritton ’71 as Vice Chair of the Board. They will serve in these positions for the next two years.
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Federal Update
President Joe Biden has raised the possibility of invoking the 14th Amendment, an equally unprecedented move, if an agreement is not reached. The administration warns that, without a solution, the country is in danger of entering a recession.
Title 42 restrictions set to expire
As the national emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic has been declared over by the Centers for Disease Control, pandemic-era restrictions have expired. The "Title 42" restriction expedited the relocation of approximately 2.7 million migrants entering the United States.
New regulations will be enacted by the Biden Administration following the expiration of Title 42 as concerns over surges of asylum-seekers grow. Some Texas border cities, including El Paso and Brownsville, have issued emergency declarations in response to the lifting of restrictions.
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