89R3019 CXP-D By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 550 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to requiring public institutions of higher education to post information regarding the compensation of certain employees and independent contractors on the institution's Internet website. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 51.9612 to read as follows: Sec. 51.9612. REQUIRED POSTING OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEE AND INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR COMPENSATION. (a) In this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. (b) Subject to Subsection (c), not later than December 1 of each year, each institution of higher education shall post on the institution's Internet website a report that discloses the name and compensation of each institution employee or independent contractor whose combined salary and other compensation, or payment for services performed for the institution as an independent contractor, as applicable, exceeds $100,000 per year. The report must: (1) present the information in the same format as an administrative accountability report on compensation provided to high-ranking administrative employees required to be submitted to the Legislative Budget Board under the General Appropriations Act, if any; and (2) be accessible through a conspicuous link on the institution's Internet website home page. (c) The commissioner of higher education may grant an institution of higher education an exemption from disclosing the name and compensation of an employee or independent contractor in the report required under Subsection (b) if the commissioner determines that: (1) the information is confidential under applicable state or federal law; or (2) disclosure of the information poses a substantial risk of placing the institution at a serious competitive disadvantage. (d) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section. SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2025, each public institution of higher education shall post on its Internet website the initial report required by Section 51.9612, Education Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. 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.