By: Howard H.B. No. 2851       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to including nursing school applications in a consolidated   application service.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter S, Chapter 51, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 51.765 to read as follows:          Sec. 51.765.  NURSING SCHOOL APPLICATION CONSOLIDATION. (a)     A service or organization that provides consolidated application   services for applications to medical schools or dental schools,   including the Texas Medical and Dental Schools Application Service   operated through The University of Texas System, must include   applications for nursing schools in this state.          (b)  The governing board of The University of Texas System   shall establish an advisory board to develop:                (1)  recommendations for including applications for   nursing schools in this state in the consolidated application   services for applications to medical schools or dental schools as   required under Subsection (a); and                (2)  an implementation plan for the recommendations   developed under Subdivision (1).          (c)  The advisory board shall consist of representatives of   professional nursing programs in this state and representatives   with expertise in professional nursing program applications   appointed by the governing board of The University of Texas System   on recommendation by the Texas Health Education Service.          (d)  The University of Texas System shall publish the   implementation plan developed by the advisory board under this   section on the system's Internet website not later than January 1,   2026.          (e)  The advisory board is abolished and this subsection and   Subsections (b), (c), and (d) expire September 1, 2027.          SECTION 2.  Section 51.765(a), Education Code, as added by   this Act, applies beginning with applications for admission to a   nursing school for the 2027 fall semester.          SECTION 3.  The governing board of The University of Texas   System shall appoint the members of the advisory board under   Section 51.765(c), Education Code, as added by this Act, not later   than November 1, 2025.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.