89R12802 KJE-D
By: Schwertner S.B. No. 1878
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State
University, including the college's eligibility to participate in
certain programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 96.63, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 96.63. POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE [JOSEY SCHOOL OF VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION]. (a) The Polytechnic College [Josey School of
Vocational Education] is a division of Sam Houston State University
and is under the direction and control of the Board of Regents,
State Senior Colleges.
(b) The administration of the college [school] is under the
direction of the president of Sam Houston State University.
(c) The college [school] shall provide workforce
[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 [vocational education in the following
fields: agriculture, home management, distributive education,
photography, plumbing, sheet metal work, machine shop, auto
mechanics, furniture, electrical appliances, air conditioning and
refrigeration, printing, radio, garment making, interior
decorating, light construction contracting, photoengraving,
watchmaking, and other trades of like nature]. The training [in
these subjects] shall 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 [organized
so that the courses may be completed in from 9 to 24 months. Courses
may also be offered in English and mathematics and other subjects
which will contribute to the vocational training of the student.
Vocational courses in government, designed to prepare workers in
various county, city, and state offices, may also be offered].
(d) In making funding recommendations for the college under
Section 61.059, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
recommend that the college be funded in the same manner as a public
state college, as defined by Section 61.003 [The rate of tuition
charged students shall be the actual cost of teaching service, not
to exceed $500 per scholastic year of nine months. Scholarships may
be awarded by the board to worthy indigent students who might
greatly benefit from the training offered. The amount of the
scholarships may vary according to the needs of the individuals,
but in no case may it 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. Section 56.401(2), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(2) "Eligible institution" means:
(A) a public junior college;
(B) a public technical institute; [or]
(C) a public state college; or
(D) the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State
University.
SECTION 3. Section 61.09092(a), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) In this section, "lower-division institution of higher
education" means a public junior college, public state college, or
public technical institute and the Polytechnic College at Sam
Houston State University.
SECTION 4. Section 61.881(2), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(2) "Lower-division institution of higher education"
means a public junior college, public state college, or public
technical institute and the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston
State University.
SECTION 5. 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. 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. 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. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.