TX HB4997

Removes the statutory requirement that governing boards grant tenure only upon recommendation of the institution's chief executive officer and university system chancellor

Eliminates existing provisions that allowed dismissal of tenured faculty for specific causes including professional incompetence, moral turpitude, policy violations, criminal convictions, unprofessional conduct, falsified credentials, financial exigency, or program elimination

Requires governing boards to adopt policies for periodic comprehensive performance evaluations of all tenured faculty, conducted at least once every six years but no more than once annually

Allows tenure revocation or disciplinary action if performance evaluations determine incompetency, neglect of duty, or other good cause is present

Provides faculty members facing termination based on evaluations the opportunity for nonbinding alternative dispute resolution and requires the governing board to provide specific written reasons for any termination decision

Takes effect September 1, 2025