Monitoring the Session

HB 4848

bill requiring competency-based bachelor’s degrees in high-demand fields

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Caroline Harris DavilaRHouse 52

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to requiring that competency-based baccalaureate degree programs be offered at certain public institutions of higher education.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

At least one school per system, every high-demand field.

The bill requires each Texas public university system to make sure at least one of its schools offers competency-based bachelor's degree programs in every high-demand field of study, with the high-demand fields set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It touches university system administrations, their campuses, the Coordinating Board, and students who enroll in these programs. Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, systems must offer these degrees, with board approval, at a total cost to the student of no more than $10,000.

Labels

Labels: ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 1 Republican, 1 Democrat. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB4848 · 2025-03-13

SOLD BY

Rep. Caroline Harris DavilaRHouse 52 Rep. Vincent PerezDHouse 77

+ 1 coauthor

ITEM

relating to requiring that competency-based baccalaureate degree programs be offered at certain public institutions of higher education.

WHAT IT DOES

At least one school per system, every high-demand field.

The bill requires each Texas public university system to make sure at least one of its schools offers competency-based bachelor's degree programs in every high-demand field of study, with the high-demand fields set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It touches university system administrations, their campuses, the Coordinating Board, and students who enroll in these programs. Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, systems must offer these degrees, with board approval, at a total cost to the student of no more than $10,000.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 21, 2025

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined due to the unknown number of fields of study in high demand for which a competency-based baccalaureate degree program would be required.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Higher Education
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Committee substitute considered in committee
  7. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  8. Reported favorably as substituted
  9. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  10. Committee report distributed
  11. Committee report sent to Calendars
  12. Considered in Calendars
  13. Placed on General State Calendar
  14. Read 2nd time
  15. Amended 1-Harris Davila
  16. Passed to engrossment as amended
  17. Record vote RV#2781
  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  19. Read 3rd time
  20. Passed
  21. Record vote RV#2884
  22. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  23. Reported engrossed
  24. Received from the House
  25. Read first time
  26. Referred to Education K-16
  27. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  28. Considered in public hearing
  29. Testimony taken in committee
  30. Left pending in committee
  31. Considered in public hearing
  32. Vote taken in committee
  33. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  34. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  35. Committee report printed and distributed
  36. Placed on intent calendar
  37. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  38. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  39. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  40. Vote recorded in Journal
  41. Three day rule suspended
  42. Record vote
  43. Read 3rd time
  44. Passed
  45. Record vote
  46. Senate passage reported
  47. Reported enrolled
  48. Signed in the House
  49. Signed in the Senate
  50. Sent to the Governor
  51. Signed by the Governor
  52. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 118 yea · 7 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 16, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 28, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Caroline Harris Davila

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$961KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$739KCourt Reform Action for Familes Texas PAC$75K

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 27, 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.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$960,552.08

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$960,552.08

Cash
$85,000.00
Paid by others
$875,552.08
Total
$960,552.08
advertising $595,238.00mail $237,770.40polling $42,460.35fundraiser $83.33

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 23, 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: 101008087, 101031516, 101035818, 101040655, 101057099, 101067933, 101070037.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$739,102.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$739,102.00

Cash
$200,000.00
Paid by others
$539,102.00
Total
$739,102.00
canvassing $430,352.00advertising $100,000.00polling $8,750.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 8, 2026 to Oct 23, 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: 101067933, 101070037.

Court Reform Action for Familes Texas PAC$75,000.00

Court Reform Action for Familes Texas PAC

$75,000.00

Cash
$75,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$75,000.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · on Oct 6, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 6, 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: 101070037.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$960,552.08

Cash
$85,000.00
Paid by others
$875,552.08
Total
$960,552.08
advertising $595,238.00mail $237,770.40polling $42,460.35fundraiser $83.33

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 23, 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: 101008087, 101031516, 101035818, 101040655, 101057099, 101067933, 101070037.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$739,102.00

Cash
$200,000.00
Paid by others
$539,102.00
Total
$739,102.00
canvassing $430,352.00advertising $100,000.00polling $8,750.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Sep 8, 2026 to Oct 23, 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: 101067933, 101070037.

×

Court Reform Action for Familes Texas PAC

$75,000.00

Cash
$75,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$75,000.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · on Oct 6, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 6, 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: 101070037.

Votes5

Senate May 28, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

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

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate May 28, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

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.

Sources

Senator A. Hinojosa moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 4848 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

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

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

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

Senate May 28, 2025

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.

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

Sources

Senator A. Hinojosa moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 4848 at this time on its second reading: HB 4848, Relating to requiring that competency-based baccalaureate degree programs be offered at certain public institutions of higher education. The motion prevailed. Senator Miles asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business. The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.

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 May 16, 2025

Yea
118
Nay
7
Present, not voting
2
Absent
6
Excused
17
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2884

HB 4848 was passed by (Record 2884): 118 Yeas, 7 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 118 (published)
  • Nay: 7 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 17 (derived from named list)

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

House May 15, 2025

Yea
101
Nay
33
Present, not voting
2
Absent
9
Excused
5
Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2781

CSHB 4848, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 2781): 101 Yeas, 33 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

  • Yea: 101 (published)
  • Nay: 33 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 9 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses7
For
4
Against
0
On
3
Names

For

  • Educate Texas2 registrations
  • Texas 20362 registrations

On

  • Self2 registrations
  • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board1 registration
Sources

7 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 first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 21, 2025

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined due to the unknown number of fields of study in high demand for which a competency-based baccalaureate degree program would be required.

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 Mar 13, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

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

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Penny Morales ShawDHouse 148
Sponsors
Adam HinojosaRSenate 27

House committee · Higher Education · Committee vote 8 aye, 0 nay, 3 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Education K-16 · Committee vote 9 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Companion

SB 2840 by Hinojosa, Adam (identical)

Subjects

Education--Higher--Institutions & Programs

Education--Higher--Tuition

Labor--Workforce Development

HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD, TEXAS

Text

The text as introduced · 205 words

89R8584 KJE-D

By: Harris Davila
H.B. No. 4848

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring that competency-based baccalaureate degree

programs be offered at certain public institutions of higher

education.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 51, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 51.3535 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.3535. RESPONSIBILITY OF SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION

REGARDING COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION. (a) In this section:

(1) "Competency-based baccalaureate degree program"

has the meaning assigned by Section 56.521.

(2) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher

Education Coordinating Board.

(b) Subject to coordinating board approval under Section

61.0512, the system administration of each system shall ensure that

one or more institutions of higher education in the system offer

competency-based baccalaureate degree programs in each field of

study in high demand, as determined by coordinating board rule.

(c) A competency-based baccalaureate degree program offered

under this section may not exceed a total cost of $10,000 to an

enrolled student.

(d) The coordinating board may adopt rules as necessary to

administer this section.

SECTION 2. Section 51.3535, Education Code, as added by

this Act, applies beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.