HB 4351

relating to postsecondary degree requirements in hiring and
contracting by governmental entities.
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.  QUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC 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)  "Postsecondary degree" means an associate's,
bachelor's, master's, professional, or doctoral degree from an
accredited institution of higher education.
(3)  "Public employer" means a state agency or a
political subdivision of this state, including a municipality and
county, that seeks to hire an individual for a vacant position.
Sec. 621.002.  ALTERNATIVE TO POSTSECONDARY DEGREE
REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYERS.  (a)  A public employer may
establish for a vacant position as an alternative to a
postsecondary degree requirement a specific number of years of
direct experience in a similar position not to exceed:
(1)  two years of direct experience for an associate's
(2)  four years of direct experience for a bachelor's
(3)  six years of direct experience for a master's
(4)  seven years of direct experience for a
(5)  nine years of direct experience for a doctoral
(b)  A public employer may not substitute direct experience
under this section for a licensure, certification, or registration
requirement for a vacant position that is included in
advertisements for the position.
(c)  A public employer that elects to substitute direct
experience for a postsecondary degree requirement for a vacant
position must include in all advertisements for the position notice
of the substitution opportunity and a description of the experience
SECTION 2.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 2252, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2252.911 to read as follows:
Sec. 2252.911.  POSTSECONDARY DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR
CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES.   (a)  In this section:
(1)  "Direct experience" has the meaning assigned by
(2)  "Governmental entity" has the meaning assigned by
(3)  "Postsecondary degree" has the meaning assigned by
(b)  This section applies only to a contract for services.
(c)  A governmental entity may establish for services
performed under a contract as an alternative to a postsecondary
degree requirement a specific number of years of direct experience
if the person providing the services under the contract is
otherwise qualified to provide the contracted services.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.