BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1878 89R12802 KJE-D By: Schwertner Education K-16 3/31/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is the home of the Josey School of Vocational Education (Josey School), which was established and codified in the Texas Education Code in 1947. The Josey School was established to prepare working-age adults and veterans for the workforce needs of the post-World War II era. In 2024, the Texas State University System and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the revival of the Josey School. In alignment with SHSU's legislative authorization for the Josey School, the critical workforce needs of Texas, and the state's strategic plan for higher education, SHSU seeks to answer the state's charge of awarding more valuable post-secondary credentials that can lead to a bachelor's degree. S.B. 1878 will modernize terminology of the existing statute relating to the Josey School and provide state formula funding to the newly named Polytechnic College for the students it serves and provide eligibility for those students to state financial aid and certain state grant programs. As proposed, S.B. 1878 amends current law relating to the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, including the college's eligibility to participate in certain programs. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 96.63., as follows: Sec. 96.63. New heading: POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE. (a) Provides that the Polytechnic College (college), rather than the Josey School of Vocational Education, is a division of Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and is under the direction and control of the Board of Regents, State Senior Colleges. (b) Provides that the administration of the college, rather than school, is under the direction of the president of SHSU. (c) Requires the college to provide workforce, rather than vocational, training for individuals over the age of 18 who cannot qualify scholastically for college entrance and for other persons who desire to avail themselves of short intensive courses in workforce training, rather than vocational education in certain fields. Requires that the training be designed to lead to an occupational skills award, a level one certificate, or a level two certificate, as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Deletes existing text requiring the training in certain vocational subjects be organized so that the courses may be completed in from 9 to 24 months. Deletes existing text authorizing the courses to also be offered in English and mathematics and other subjects which will contribute to the vocational training of the student. Deletes existing text authorizing vocational courses in government, designed to prepare workers in various county, city, and state offices, to also be offered. Makes a conforming change. (d) Requires THECB, in making funding recommendations for the college under Section 61.059 (Appropriations), to recommend that the college be funded in the same manner as a public state college, as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions). Deletes existing text requiring that the rate of tuition charged students be the actual cost of teaching service, not to exceed $500 per scholastic year of nine months. Deletes existing text authorizing scholarships to be awarded by THECB to worthy indigent students who might greatly benefit from the training offered. Deletes existing text authorizing the amount of the scholarships to vary according to the needs of the individuals, but in no case authorizes it to reduce the tuition payment by the student to a point less than the tuition fee regularly charged students at the state senior colleges. SECTION 2. Amends Section 56.401(2), Education Code, to redefine "eligible institution" to include the Polytechnic College at SHSU. SECTION 3. Amends Section 61.09092(a), Education Code, to redefine "lower-division institution of higher education" to include the Polytechnic College at SHSU. SECTION 4. Amends Section 61.881(2), Education Code, to redefine "lower-division institution of higher education" to include the Polytechnic College at SHSU. SECTION 5. Provides that the change in law made by this Act to Section 56.401(2), Education Code, applies beginning with grants awarded under the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program for the 2026 fall semester. Provides that grants awarded under the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program for an academic term 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 6. Provides that the change in law made by this Act to Section 61.881(2), Education Code, applies beginning with grants awarded under the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program for the 2025 fall semester. SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1878
89R12802 KJE-D By: Schwertner
Education K-16
3/31/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1878
89R12802 KJE-D
By: Schwertner
Education K-16
3/31/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is the home of the Josey School of Vocational Education (Josey School), which was established and codified in the Texas Education Code in 1947. The Josey School was established to prepare working-age adults and veterans for the workforce needs of the post-World War II era. In 2024, the Texas State University System and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the revival of the Josey School. In alignment with SHSU's legislative authorization for the Josey School, the critical workforce needs of Texas, and the state's strategic plan for higher education, SHSU seeks to answer the state's charge of awarding more valuable post-secondary credentials that can lead to a bachelor's degree.
S.B. 1878 will modernize terminology of the existing statute relating to the Josey School and provide state formula funding to the newly named Polytechnic College for the students it serves and provide eligibility for those students to state financial aid and certain state grant programs.
As proposed, S.B. 1878 amends current law relating to the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, including the college's eligibility to participate in certain programs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 96.63., as follows:
Sec. 96.63. New heading: POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE. (a) Provides that the Polytechnic College (college), rather than the Josey School of Vocational Education, is a division of Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and is under the direction and control of the Board of Regents, State Senior Colleges.
(b) Provides that the administration of the college, rather than school, is under the direction of the president of SHSU.
(c) Requires the college to provide workforce, rather than vocational, training for individuals over the age of 18 who cannot qualify scholastically for college entrance and for other persons who desire to avail themselves of short intensive courses in workforce training, rather than vocational education in certain fields. Requires that the training be designed to lead to an occupational skills award, a level one certificate, or a level two certificate, as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Deletes existing text requiring the training in certain vocational subjects be organized so that the courses may be completed in from 9 to 24 months. Deletes existing text authorizing the courses to also be offered in English and mathematics and other subjects which will contribute to the vocational training of the student. Deletes existing text authorizing vocational courses in government, designed to prepare workers in various county, city, and state offices, to also be offered. Makes a conforming change.
(d) Requires THECB, in making funding recommendations for the college under Section 61.059 (Appropriations), to recommend that the college be funded in the same manner as a public state college, as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions). Deletes existing text requiring that the rate of tuition charged students be the actual cost of teaching service, not to exceed $500 per scholastic year of nine months. Deletes existing text authorizing scholarships to be awarded by THECB to worthy indigent students who might greatly benefit from the training offered. Deletes existing text authorizing the amount of the scholarships to vary according to the needs of the individuals, but in no case authorizes it to reduce the tuition payment by the student to a point less than the tuition fee regularly charged students at the state senior colleges.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 56.401(2), Education Code, to redefine "eligible institution" to include the Polytechnic College at SHSU.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 61.09092(a), Education Code, to redefine "lower-division institution of higher education" to include the Polytechnic College at SHSU.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 61.881(2), Education Code, to redefine "lower-division institution of higher education" to include the Polytechnic College at SHSU.
SECTION 5. Provides that the change in law made by this Act to Section 56.401(2), Education Code, applies beginning with grants awarded under the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program for the 2026 fall semester. Provides that grants awarded under the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program for an academic term 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 6. Provides that the change in law made by this Act to Section 61.881(2), Education Code, applies beginning with grants awarded under the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program for the 2025 fall semester.
SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 2025.