TX HB5202

Governing boards of public higher education institutions gain exclusive authority to establish or authorize faculty councils or senates, which are designated as advisory-only bodies that cannot make final decisions, approve personnel actions, or conduct investigations

Faculty council or senate meetings with a quorum must be open to the public with at least 72 hours notice posted online and in student newspapers, and all votes must be recorded and made public

Institutions are prohibited from requiring courses in degree or certificate programs that promote the idea that racially neutral laws perpetuate oppression or that promote differential treatment based on race or ethnicity, with exceptions for discussions of historical discrimination (slavery, Holocaust, Japanese internment) and medical/biological education

Governing boards may exempt racial, ethnic, or gender studies programs from the course prohibition, provided those courses cannot be used to satisfy requirements for other degree programs

Existing faculty councils or senates will be abolished on October 1, 2025, unless established in compliance with new requirements or ratified by the governing board; institutions must certify compliance annually to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board beginning with fiscal year 2026