TX HB3296

Establishes a consortium of Texas historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to provide free civic education to state residents, with participating institutions required to be accredited and comply with state and federal laws

Creates a grant program administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to fund consortium members, with grants available for one-year or multi-year terms

Requires grant recipients to partner with municipalities, counties, community organizations, public libraries, or other higher education institutions to deliver civic education through existing community programs

Permits grant funds to be used for faculty recruitment and retention, curriculum development, technology upgrades, infrastructure improvements, staffing and training for community partners, digital resources, and civic events such as voter registration drives

Establishes an oversight committee with representatives from HBCUs, municipalities, counties, and public libraries to monitor the program, with mandatory third-party evaluations at least every three years examining student skills growth, completion rates, and community impacts

Takes effect beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year