89R1609 KJE-D
By: West S.B. No. 579
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an exemption from certain requirements regarding
diversity, equity, or inclusion initiatives for certain
scholarships provided by public institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 51.3525(d), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(d) Subsection (b)(1) may not be construed to apply to:
(1) academic course instruction;
(2) scholarly research or a creative work by an
institution of higher education's students, faculty, or other
research personnel or the dissemination of that research or work;
(3) an activity of a student organization registered
with or recognized by an institution of higher education;
(4) guest speakers or performers on short-term
engagements;
(5) a policy, practice, procedure, program, or
activity to enhance student academic achievement or postgraduate
outcomes that is designed and implemented without regard to race,
sex, color, or ethnicity;
(6) data collection; [or]
(7) student recruitment or admissions; or
(8) a scholarship funded by private money held in
trust by or endowed to an institution of higher education or a
foundation affiliated with the institution.
SECTION 2. 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 effect September 1, 2025.