SB1878 - Relating to the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, including the college's eligibility to participate in certain programs.

  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.