89R1609 KJE-D     By: West S.B. No. 579       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an exemption from certain requirements regarding   diversity, equity, or inclusion initiatives for certain   scholarships provided by public institutions of higher education.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 51.3525(d), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (d)  Subsection (b)(1) may not be construed to apply to:                (1)  academic course instruction;                (2)  scholarly research or a creative work by an   institution of higher education's students, faculty, or other   research personnel or the dissemination of that research or work;                (3)  an activity of a student organization registered   with or recognized by an institution of higher education;                (4)  guest speakers or performers on short-term   engagements;                (5)  a policy, practice, procedure, program, or   activity to enhance student academic achievement or postgraduate   outcomes that is designed and implemented without regard to race,   sex, color, or ethnicity;                (6)  data collection; [or]                (7)  student recruitment or admissions; or                (8)  a scholarship funded by private money held in   trust by or endowed to an institution of higher education or a   foundation affiliated with the institution.          SECTION 2.  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.