89R4380 KJE-F     By: VanDeaver H.B. No. 2110       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to public higher education.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 28.0095(c), (e), and (f), Education   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (c)  A student is eligible to enroll at no cost in a dual   credit course under the program if the student:                (1)  is enrolled:                      (A)  in a grade level from 9 through 12 [high   school] in a school district or charter school; and                      (B)  in a dual credit course at a participating   institution of higher education; and                (2)  was educationally disadvantaged at any time   during:                      (A)  the school year in which the student enrolls   in the dual credit course described by Subdivision (1)(B); or                      (B)  the four school years preceding the student's   enrollment in the dual credit course described by Subdivision   (1)(B).          (e)  Each school district or charter school shall:                (1)  on the [a high school student's] enrollment of a   student in a grade level from 9 through 12 in a dual credit course,   determine whether the student meets the criteria for the program   under Subsection (c)(2); and                (2)  notify the institution of higher education that   offers the dual credit course in which the student is enrolled of   the district's or school's determination under Subdivision (1).          (f)  A school district or charter school may make the   determination under Subsection (e)(1) based on the district's or   school's records, the agency's records, or any other method   authorized by commissioner or coordinating board rule.  If the   district or school bases the determination on a method other than   the agency's records, the district or school shall report the   method used and the data on which the method is based to the agency   for purposes of verification. The agency shall make available to   school districts and charter schools the data necessary for making   the determination required under Subsection (e)(1).          SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 54.215 to read as follows:          Sec. 54.215.  FINANCIAL AID FOR SWIFT TRANSFER (FAST)   PROGRAM.  The governing board of an institution of higher education   participating in the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST)   program under Section 28.0095 shall exempt from the payment of   tuition and required fees for a dual credit course, as defined by   that section, a student who is eligible for the program.          SECTION 3.  Section 61.003(2), Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:                (2)  "Public junior college" means any junior college   associated with a junior college district described by Subchapter   J, Chapter 130 [listed as a public junior college in accordance with   Section 61.063].          SECTION 4.  Subchapter B, Chapter 61, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 61.0275 to read as follows:          Sec. 61.0275.  ADOPTION BY REFERENCE. The board may adopt by   reference a manual or policy document as a rule.          SECTION 5.  Section 130A.005, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:          (d)  The coordinating board may use the emergency rulemaking   procedures established under Section 2001.034, Government Code, to   adopt rules necessary to align the funding formulas under this   chapter with appropriations or other legislative action. The   coordinating board is not required to make the finding described by   Section 2001.034(a), Government Code, to adopt rules under this   subsection.          SECTION 6.  Section 130A.101(c), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  The measurable outcomes considered for purposes of   performance tier funding are:                (1)  the number of credentials of value awarded, as   determined by the coordinating board based on analyses of wages and   costs associated with the credential, including degrees,   certificates, and other credentials from credit and non-credit   programs that equip students for continued learning and greater   earnings in the state economy, with an additional weight for   placement of students who earn that credential in a high-demand   occupation, as defined by coordinating board rule, or an   appropriate proxy determined by the coordinating board based on   available data;                (2)  the number of students who earn at least 15   semester credit hours or the equivalent at the junior college   district and:                      (A)  subsequently transfer to:                            (i)  a general academic teaching   institution, as that term is defined by Section 61.003; or                            (ii)  a private or independent institution   of higher education, as that term is defined by Section 61.003, that   offers four-year degree programs; or                      (B)  are enrolled in a structured co-enrollment   program, as authorized by coordinating board rule; and                (3)  the number of students who complete a sequence of   at least 15 semester credit hours or the equivalent for dual credit   or dual enrollment courses, as defined by coordinating board rule,   that apply toward academic or workforce program requirements at the   postsecondary level.          SECTION 7.  Section 28.0095, Education Code, as amended by   this Act, applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.          SECTION 8.  Section 54.215, Education Code, as added by this   Act, applies beginning with tuition and required fees charged for   the 2025 fall semester. Tuition and required fees charged for an   academic period 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 9.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this   section, 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.          (b)  Section 130A.101(c), Education Code, as amended by this   Act, takes effect September 1, 2025.