SB 1786

relating to public higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Sections 28.0095(c), (e), and (f), Education
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(c)  A student is eligible to enroll at no cost in a dual
credit course under the program if the student:
(A)  in a grade level from 9 through 12 [high
school] in a school district or charter school; and
(B)  in a dual credit course at a participating
institution of higher education; and
(2)  was educationally disadvantaged at any time
(A)  the school year in which the student enrolls
in the dual credit course described by Subdivision (1)(B); or
(B)  the four school years preceding the student's
enrollment in the dual credit course described by Subdivision
(e)  Each school district or charter school shall:
(1)  on the [a high school student's] enrollment of a
student in a grade level from 9 through 12 in a dual credit course,
determine whether the student meets the criteria for the program
(2)  notify the institution of higher education that
offers the dual credit course in which the student is enrolled of
the district's or school's determination under Subdivision (1).
(f)  A school district or charter school may make the
determination under Subsection (e)(1) based on the district's or
school's records, the agency's records, or any other method
authorized by commissioner or coordinating board rule.  If the
district or school bases the determination on a method other than
the agency's records, the district or school shall report the
method used and the data on which the method is based to the agency
for purposes of verification. The agency shall make available to
school districts and charter schools the data necessary for making
the determination required under Subsection (e)(1).
SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 54.215 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.215.  FINANCIAL AID FOR SWIFT TRANSFER (FAST)
PROGRAM.  The governing board of an institution of higher education
participating in the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST)
program under Section 28.0095 shall exempt from the payment of
tuition and required fees for a dual credit course, as defined by
that section, a student who is eligible for the program.
SECTION 3.  Section 61.003(2), Education Code, is amended to
(2)  "Public junior college" means any junior college
associated with a junior college district described by Subchapter
J, Chapter 130 [listed as a public junior college in accordance with
SECTION 4.  Subchapter B, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.0275 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.0275.  ADOPTION BY REFERENCE.  The board may adopt by
reference a manual or policy document as a rule.
SECTION 5.  Section 130A.005, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d)  The coordinating board may use the emergency rulemaking
procedures established under Section 2001.034, Government Code, to
adopt rules necessary to align the funding formulas under this
chapter with appropriations or other legislative action. The
coordinating board is not required to make the finding described by
Section 2001.034(a), Government Code, to adopt rules under this
SECTION 6.  Section 130A.101(c), Education Code, is amended
(c)  The measurable outcomes considered for purposes of
(1)  the number of credentials of value awarded, as
determined by the coordinating board based on analyses of wages and
costs associated with the credential, including degrees,
certificates, and other credentials from credit and non-credit
programs that equip students for continued learning and greater
earnings in the state economy, with an additional weight for
placement of students who earn that credential in a high-demand
occupation, as defined by coordinating board rule, or an
appropriate proxy determined by the coordinating board based on
(2)  the number of students who earn at least 15
semester credit hours or the equivalent at the junior college
(i)  a general academic teaching
institution, as that term is defined by Section 61.003; or
(ii)  a private or independent institution
of higher education, as that term is defined by Section 61.003, that
offers four-year degree programs; or
(B)  are enrolled in a structured co-enrollment
program, as authorized by coordinating board rule; and
(3)  the number of students who complete a sequence of
at least 15 semester credit hours or the equivalent for dual credit
or dual enrollment courses, as defined by coordinating board rule,
that apply toward academic or workforce program requirements at the
SECTION 7.  Section 28.0095, Education Code, as amended by
this Act, applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
SECTION 8.  Section 54.215, Education Code, as added by this
Act, applies beginning with tuition and required fees charged for
the 2025 fall semester. Tuition and required fees charged for an
academic period before that semester are governed by the law in
effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 9.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
section, this Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of
two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by
Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not
receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes
(b)  Section 130A.101(c), Education Code, as amended by this
Act, takes effect September 1, 2025.