Schwertner’s bill renaming the Josey School the Polytechnic College

The text as introduced · 676 words

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.