HB5180 - Relating to the issuance of a diploma to a student graduating from a public institution of higher education that has undergone a merger, acquisition, or name change.

      H.B. No. 5180         AN ACT   relating to the issuance of a diploma to a student graduating from a   public institution of higher education that has undergone a merger,   acquisition, or name change.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 51.995 to read as follows:           Sec.   51.995.     DIPLOMA DESIGNATION IN EVENT OF MERGER,   ACQUISITION, OR NAME CHANGE. (a) In this section, "institution of   higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.           (b)     Subject to Subsection (c), if, during the period of a   student's enrollment at an institution of higher education, the   institution merges with or is acquired by another postsecondary   educational institution or changes the institution's name, the   institution shall provide to the student on the student's   graduation from the institution two diplomas as follows:                 (1)     one diploma in the same style, design, or format,   including symbols or other insignia, designating the original name   of the institution on the date the student initially enrolled; and                 (2)     one diploma designating the name of the   institution after the merger, acquisition, or name change.           (c)     A student is eligible to receive two diplomas under this   section only if the student graduates from the institution of   higher education within six years of the merger, acquisition, or   name change.           (d)     An institution of higher education may not charge a   student an additional fee to receive a diploma under this section.          SECTION 2.  Section 51.995, Education Code, as added by this   Act, applies beginning with a diploma provided by a public   institution of higher education to a student for the 2025-2026   academic year.          SECTION 3.  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.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 5180 was passed by the House on May 6,   2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 148, Nays 0, 1 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 5180 was passed by the Senate on May   25, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor