bill makes college board members attend 75% in person

The text as introduced · 259 words

89R3027 KJE-D

By: Kolkhorst
S.B. No. 724

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to providing in-person meeting requirements for governing

boards of public institutions of higher education; authorizing a

civil penalty.

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

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

amended by adding Section 51.3522 to read as follows:

Sec. 51.3522. IN-PERSON MEETING REQUIREMENTS FOR GOVERNING

BOARDS. (a) In this section, "coordinating board" means the Texas

Higher Education Coordinating Board.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 551.127, Government Code, or

any other law, each member of the governing board of an institution

of higher education must attend at least 75 percent of the governing

board's meetings in person each year.

(c) If a governing board member fails to meet the

requirement under Subsection (b) for any year, the member:

(1) for the first violation, is liable to the

institution for a civil penalty of $1,000; and

(2) for the second violation and notwithstanding any

other law, is not eligible for reappointment to the governing board

or for appointment to any other governing board.

(d) An institution of higher education that receives a civil

penalty under Subsection (c)(1) may use that amount only to provide

scholarships to students enrolled at the institution.

(e) The attorney general, at the request of the coordinating

board, may bring a civil action to collect a civil penalty under

this section.

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

implement and enforce this section.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.