HB 1861

relating to the minimum requirements for state employee positions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 6, Government Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 621 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 621.  MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE EMPLOYEE POSITIONS
Sec. 621.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
(1)  "Direct experience" means any verifiable,
previous work experience in which:
(A)  the applicant's primary duties were
consistent with the primary duties of the vacant position; or
(B)  the skills necessary to perform the
applicant's primary duties are transferable to the vacant position.
(2)  "Minimum requirements" means the minimum skills,
previous training, or previous experience necessary to perform the
primary duties of a position of employment.
(3)  "State agency" has the meaning assigned by Section
Sec. 621.002.  MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.  (a)  Before seeking
applicants for a vacant position, a state agency must determine the
minimum requirements for the position, including:
(1)  direct experience relevant to the position; and
(2)  any certification or coursework required for the
(b)  A state agency may establish direct experience in a
similar position as an alternative to a postsecondary degree for a
minimum requirement for a position of employment.
SECTION 2.  (a)  Chapter 621, Government Code, as added by
this Act, applies only to an application submitted for a vacant
state employee position on or after the effective date of this Act.
An application submitted before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the application was
submitted, and the former law is continued in effect for that
(b)  A state agency subject to Chapter 621, Government Code,
as added by this Act, shall determine the minimum requirements for
each vacant position the agency seeks to fill on or after the
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.