SB2055 - Relating to participation in the Texas Leadership Scholars Program.

      S.B. No. 2055         AN ACT   relating to participation in the Texas Leadership Scholars Program.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 61.891, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subdivision (4) to read as follows:                 (4)     "Eligible institution" means a general academic   teaching institution as defined by   Section 61.003.          SECTION 2.  Section 61.897, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as   follows:          (a)  The board, in consultation with general academic   teaching institutions, shall adopt rules for the administration of   the program, including rules providing for the amount and   permissible uses of a scholarship awarded under the program.  The   rules must provide that:                (1)  the amount of a research scholarship is at least   150 percent of the amount of a leadership scholarship; [ and ]                (2)  a student may not receive a scholarship under   either the leadership or research scholarship program for more than   four years per student per program; and                 (3)     each eligible institution receives at least one   research scholarship award with remaining research scholarships   awarded to eligible institutions based, in part, on the number of   research doctoral degrees awarded by each institution .           (a-1)     In adopting rules under this subchapter, the board may   not adopt a rule that:                 (1)     limits the general academic teaching institutions   that may participate in the program; or                 (2)     gives preference to students enrolled in certain   general academic teaching institutions.          SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall   adopt rules to implement Section 61.897, Education Code, as   amended by this Act.          SECTION 4.  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 hereby certify that S.B. No. 2055 passed the Senate on   May 1, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2055 passed the House on   May 27, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 129, Nays 11, two   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor