HB 2856: Howard Bill Orders A Portal Study Due December 1, 2026

Caption

relating to a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the feasibility of implementing a statewide system for coordinating clinical training placements.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

A report on costs, staffing and regions. Any actual portal waits for a later legislature.

The bill orders the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to study whether regional online portals could help colleges book clinical training spots at health care facilities for their students. It touches the board, colleges with health programs, and students who need clinical rotations. Nothing changes on the ground yet: the board must report costs, staffing and the number of regions needed by December 1, 2026, and the section expires in 2027.

Labels

Labels: NO AUTOGRAPH. Became law without the governor's signature on Jun 20, 2025.INSTANT LAW. Took effect immediately, on Jun 20, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB2856 · 2025-02-14

SOLD BY

Rep. Donna HowardDHouse 48

Rep. Vincent PerezDHouse 77

ITEM

relating to a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the feasibility of implementing a statewide system for coordinating clinical training placements.

WHAT IT DOES

A report on costs, staffing and regions. Any actual portal waits for a later legislature.

The bill orders the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to study whether regional online portals could help colleges book clinical training spots at health care facilities for their students. It touches the board, colleges with health programs, and students who need clinical rotations. Nothing changes on the ground yet: the board must report costs, staffing and the number of regions needed by December 1, 2026, and the section expires in 2027.

CHARGES

[x] STUDY, TASK FORCE, COMMISSION, REPORTanalysis confidence 90%

THE TEXT

“The board shall conduct a study on the feasibility”…

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The only duty is a feasibility study and a report due December 1, 2026. Any actual portal system waits for a later legislature to act.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 7, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

Feb 14, 2025Filed
Mar 19, 2025Read first time
Mar 19, 2025Referred to Higher Education
Apr 1, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 1, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 1, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
Apr 1, 2025Left pending in committee
Apr 15, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 15, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
Apr 21, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
Apr 21, 2025Committee report distributed
Apr 22, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
Apr 24, 2025Considered in Calendars
Apr 28, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
Apr 28, 2025Read 2nd time
Apr 28, 2025Passed to engrossment
Apr 28, 2025Record vote RV#707
Apr 28, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
Apr 29, 2025Read 3rd time
Apr 29, 2025Passed
Apr 29, 2025Record vote RV#781
Apr 29, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
Apr 29, 2025Reported engrossed
Apr 29, 2025Received from the House
Apr 30, 2025Read first time
Apr 30, 2025Referred to Education K-16
May 8, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
May 8, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 8, 2025Left pending in committee
May 13, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 13, 2025Vote taken in committee
May 16, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendments
May 16, 2025Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
May 16, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
May 25, 2025Placed on local & uncontested calendar
May 25, 2025Laid before the Senate
May 25, 2025Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
May 25, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
May 25, 2025Three day rule suspended
May 25, 2025Record vote
May 25, 2025Read 3rd time
May 25, 2025Passed
May 25, 2025Record vote
May 25, 2025Senate passage reported
May 26, 2025Reported enrolled
May 27, 2025Signed in the House
May 27, 2025Signed in the Senate
May 28, 2025Sent to the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Filed without the Governor's signature
Jun 20, 2025Effective immediately

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 105 yea · 41 nay

Senate · 28 yea · 3 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 29, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 25, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Donna Howard

Donors

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$15K Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Committee$8K HDCC Incumbent Protection Fund$7K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$15,000.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$15,000.00

Cash: $15,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $15,000.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 10, 2024 to Oct 2, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100985297, 101031291, 101059636, 101070104.

Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Committee$7,500.00

Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Committee

$7,500.00

Cash: $7,500.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $7,500.00

Also funds 38 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 19, 2024 to Oct 5, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Sep 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100985297, 101069647.

HDCC Incumbent Protection Fund$7,000.00

HDCC Incumbent Protection Fund

$7,000.00

Cash: $7,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $7,000.00

Also funds 8 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Aug 22, 2025 to May 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on May 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101059636.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$15,000.00

Cash: $15,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $15,000.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 10, 2024 to Oct 2, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100985297, 101031291, 101059636, 101070104.

×

Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Committee

$7,500.00

Cash: $7,500.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $7,500.00

Also funds 38 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 19, 2024 to Oct 5, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Sep 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100985297, 101069647.

×

HDCC Incumbent Protection Fund

$7,000.00

Cash: $7,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $7,000.00

Also funds 8 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Aug 22, 2025 to May 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on May 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101059636.

Votes5

Senate May 25, 2025

Final passage

Yea: 28
Nay: 3
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

HallNay
HughesNay
SparksNay

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records final passage. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

HB 2856 (Zaffirini) Relating to a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the feasibility of implementing a statewide system for coordinating clinical training placements. (viva voce vote) (28-3) "Nays" Hall, Hughes, Sparks (28-3) "Nays" Hall, Hughes, Sparks

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 28 (published)
Nay: 3 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 25, 2025

Suspension of the three-day rule

Yea: 28
Nay: 3
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

HallNay
HughesNay
SparksNay

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records suspension of the three-day rule. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Sources

HB 2856 (Zaffirini) Relating to a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the feasibility of implementing a statewide system for coordinating clinical training placements. (viva voce vote) (28-3) "Nays" Hall, Hughes, Sparks (28-3) "Nays" Hall, Hughes, Sparks

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 28 (published)
Nay: 3 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 25, 2025

Passage to third reading

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

The journal row lists three votes in order: passage to third reading, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage. This entry records passage to third reading. Repeated tallies belong to separate votes.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

HB 2856 (Zaffirini) Relating to a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the feasibility of implementing a statewide system for coordinating clinical training placements. (viva voce vote) (28-3) "Nays" Hall, Hughes, Sparks (28-3) "Nays" Hall, Hughes, Sparks

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 29, 2025

Yea: 105
Nay: 41
Present, not voting: 1
Absent: 2
Excused: 1

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 781

HB 2856 was passed by (Record 781): 105 Yeas, 41 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 105 (published)
Nay: 41 (published)
Present, not voting: 1 (published)
Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 28, 2025

Yea: 112
Nay: 30
Present, not voting: 1
Absent: 6
Excused: 1

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 707

HB 2856 was passed to engrossment by (Record 707): 112 Yeas, 30 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 112 (published)
Nay: 30 (published)
Present, not voting: 1 (published)
Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses17

For: 16
Against: 0
On: 1

Names

For

Alamo Colleges District1 registration
Concorde Career Colleges1 registration
Nueces County Hospital District1 registration
Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition1 registration
Opportunity Austin1 registration
Self1 registration
Self; Opportunity austin1 registration
Self; Texas Nurses Association1 registration
Teaching Hospitals of Texas1 registration
Texas Academy of Family Physicians1 registration
Texas Association of Community Colleges1 registration
Texas Council of Community Centers2 registrations
Texas Economic Development Council1 registration
Texas Healthcare Bioscience Institute1 registration
Texas Nurses Association1 registration

On

Texas higher education coordinating board1 registration

Sources

17 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 7, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Feb 14, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective immediately

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Companion

SB 1908 by Zaffirini (identical)

Subjects

Education--Higher--Health Institutions

Health Care Providers

Interim Studies

HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD, TEXAS

Text

The text as introduced · 269 words

89R6070 CMO-D

By: Howard
H.B. No. 2856

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating

Board on the feasibility of implementing a statewide system for

coordinating clinical training placements.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 61.09012 to read as follows:

Sec. 61.09012. STUDY ON CLINICAL TRAINING PLACEMENTS FOR

STUDENTS. (a) The board shall conduct a study on the feasibility

of developing regional portals to assist in reserving clinical

rotations at health care facilities for students enrolled in

institutions of higher education who require clinical training.

(b) The study must determine:

(1) the number of regions needed to adequately support

institutions of higher education and students that require clinical

training;

(2) the cost of establishing regional portals; and

(3) the necessary maintenance, support, and staff

required to establish and maintain the regional portals.

(c) Not later than December 1, 2026, the board shall submit

to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house

of representatives, and the chair of each standing committee with

primary jurisdiction over higher education a written report that

includes the study's findings and any recommendations for

legislative or other action.

(d) This section expires September 1, 2027.

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.

Verdict: Smells

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Committee

HDCC Incumbent Protection Fund

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Committee

HDCC Incumbent Protection Fund

Senate May 25, 2025

Senate May 25, 2025

Senate May 25, 2025

House Apr 29, 2025

House Apr 28, 2025

For

On

Companion