HB3283 - Relating to the mission of governing boards of public institutions of higher education.

      By: Bowers H.B. No. 3283       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the mission of governing boards of public institutions   of higher education.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 51.352, Education Code, is amended by   adding Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and renumbering   as follows:          (a)  It is the policy of this state that the governing boards   of institutions of higher education, being composed of lay members,   shall exercise the traditional and time-honored role for such   boards as their role has evolved in the United States and shall   constitute the keystone of the governance structure.  In this   regard each governing board:                (1)  is expected to preserve institutional   independence and to defend its right to manage its own affairs   through its chosen administrators and employees;                (2)  shall enhance the public image of each institution   under its governance;                (3)  shall interpret the community to the campus and   interpret the campus to the community;                (4)  shall nurture each institution under its   governance to the end that each institution achieves its full   potential within its role and mission to ensure each and every   student has an equal, meaningful opportunity to succeed in their   academic and professional development ; and                (5)  shall insist on clarity of focus and mission of   each institution under its governance.          SECTION 2.  Section 51.3525, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (b) to read as follows:          (b)  The governing board of an institution of higher   education shall ensure that each unit of the institution:                (1)  does not, except as required by federal law and for   the purposes of fulfilling the governing board's mission under   section 51.352(a)(4) :                      (A)  establish or maintain a diversity, equity,   and inclusion office;                      (B)  hire or assign an employee of the institution   or contract with a third party to perform the duties of a diversity,   equity, and inclusion office;                      (C)  compel, require, induce, or solicit any   person to provide a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement or   give preferential consideration to any person based on the   provision of a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement;                      (D)  give preference on the basis of race, sex,   color, ethnicity, or national origin to an applicant for   employment, an employee, or a participant in any function of the   institution; or                      (E)  require as a condition of enrolling at the   institution or performing any institution function any person to   participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion training, which:                            (i)  includes a training, program, or   activity designed or implemented in reference to race, color,   ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation; and                            (ii)  does not include a training, program,   or activity developed by an attorney and approved in writing by the   institution's general counsel and the Texas Higher Education   Coordinating Board for the sole purpose of ensuring compliance with   any applicable court order or state or federal law; and                (2)  adopts policies and procedures for appropriately   disciplining, including by termination, an employee or contractor   of the institution who engages in conduct in violation of   Subdivision (1).          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.