Bill Text: TX SB37 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Enrolled

---

Bill Title: Relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and certificate programs, a faculty council or senate, training for members of the governing board, and the establishment, powers, and duties of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 8)

Status: (Passed) 2025-06-20 - Effective on 9/1/25 [SB37 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-SB37-Enrolled.html

---

S.B. No. 37

AN ACT
relating to the governance of public institutions of higher
education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and
certificate programs, a faculty council or senate, training for
members of the governing board, and the establishment, powers, and
duties of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Office of
the Ombudsman.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
ARTICLE 1. CURRICULUM AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
SECTION 1.01. Subchapter F, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.315 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.315. GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM REVIEW. (a) In
this section:
(1) "General education curriculum" means a core
curriculum, as that term is defined by Section 61.821, and any other
curriculum or competency all undergraduate students of an
institution of higher education are required to complete before
receiving an undergraduate degree.
(2) "Governing board" and "institution of higher
education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) At least once every five years, the governing board of
each institution of higher education shall conduct a comprehensive
review of the general education curriculum established by the
institution. In reviewing an institution's general education
curriculum, the governing board shall ensure courses in the
curriculum:
(1) are foundational and fundamental to a sound
postsecondary education;
(2) are necessary to prepare students for civic and
professional life;
(3) equip students for participation in the workforce
and in the betterment of society; and
(4) ensure a breadth of knowledge in compliance with
applicable accreditation standards.
(c) In reviewing the general education curriculum of an
institution of higher education under Subsection (b), the governing
board of the institution shall consider the potential costs the
curriculum may impose on students, including for additional
tuition, fees, and time a student must spend to complete an
undergraduate degree program at the institution.
(d) Each institution of higher education shall annually
submit to the governing board of the institution an update
regarding any changes to the general education curriculum offered
at the institution. The governing board may reserve the right to
overturn any decision made by the institution regarding any changes
to the general education curriculum offered at the institution.
(e) The governing board of an institution of higher
education may appoint a committee to assist the governing board in
carrying out its duties under this section, including by making
recommendations to the governing board. Members of the committee
may include:
(1) faculty employed full time by the institution;
(2) institution administrators;
(3) community leaders;
(4) industry representatives; and
(5) other individuals selected by the governing board.
(f) Not later than January 1 of each year a review is
conducted under this section, the governing board of each
institution of higher education shall certify the governing board's
compliance with this section to the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board and each standing legislative committee and
subcommittee with primary jurisdiction over higher education.
SECTION 1.02. Section 51.354, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 51.354. INSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.
(a) The final decision-making authority on matters regarding an
institution of higher education's degree programs and curricula
belongs to the institution. The institution shall make the
decisions on those matters under the direction of the institution's
governing board.
(b) In addition to specific responsibilities imposed by
this code or other law, each institution of higher education has the
general responsibility to serve the public and, within the
institution's role and mission, to:
(1) transmit culture through general education;
(2) extend knowledge;
(3) teach and train students for professions;
(4) provide for scientific, engineering, medical, and
other academic research;
(5) protect intellectual exploration and academic
freedom;
(6) strive for intellectual excellence;
(7) provide educational opportunity for all who can
benefit from postsecondary education and training; and
(8) provide continuing education opportunities.
SECTION 1.03. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.989 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.989. REVIEW OF MINOR DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE
PROGRAMS. (a) In this section, "governing board" and "institution
of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) The president or chief executive officer of an
institution of higher education shall adopt and implement a process
for reviewing minor degree and certificate programs offered by the
institution to identify programs with low enrollment that may
require consolidation or elimination.
(c) The criteria for review under Subsection (b) must
require that minor degree and certificate programs have specific
industry data to substantiate workforce demand to avoid
consideration for consolidation or elimination.
(d) A minor degree or certificate program that has operated
less than five years at the time the president or chief executive
officer of an institution of higher education conducts the review
under this section is exempt from that review.
(e) The governing board of an institution of higher
education shall approve or deny any decision made by the president
or chief executive officer of the institution to consolidate or
eliminate a minor degree or certificate program as a result of the
review conducted under this section.
(f) The president or chief executive officer of an
institution of higher education shall conduct a review under this
section once every five years.
SECTION 1.04. Section 61.052, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
(a-1) A governing board may exclude from the comprehensive
list of courses submitted under Subsection (a) courses that were
not taught as an organized class or provided through individual
instruction for the preceding two academic years.
SECTION 1.05. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.0522 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.0522. GENERAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM ADVISORY
COMMITTEE. (a) In this section:
(1) "Advisory committee" means the general education
curriculum advisory committee established under this section.
(2) "General education curriculum" has the meaning
assigned by Section 51.315.
(b) The board shall establish an advisory committee to
review the general education curriculum requirements of
institutions of higher education.
(c) The board shall call for nominations from presidents or
chief executive officers, chancellors, and chief academic officers
at all institutions of higher education for representatives to
serve on the advisory committee. The board shall select a number of
representatives determined by the board from those nominated with
nominees drawn equally from two-year and four-year institutions.
(d) The advisory committee shall consider methods for
determining general education curriculum component courses and for
condensing the number of general education curriculum courses
required at institutions of higher education.
(e) Not later than November 1, 2026, the advisory committee
shall produce a report regarding the advisory committee's findings
and recommendations under this section and provide the report to
the board.
(f) Not later than December 31, 2026, the board shall review
the advisory committee's report and submit to the legislature the
board's recommendations for legislative or other action necessary
to implement the findings of the report.
(g) The advisory committee is abolished and this section
expires September 1, 2027.
SECTION 1.06. Not later than January 1, 2027, the governing
board of each public institution of higher education shall:
(1) complete the governing board's initial review in
accordance with Section 51.315, Education Code, as added by this
Act; and
(2) certify compliance with Section 51.315, Education
Code, as added by this Act, as required by Subsection (f) of that
section.
ARTICLE 2. INSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE
SECTION 2.01. Section 51.352, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (g) and (h) to read
as follows:
(d) In addition to powers and duties specifically granted by
this code or other law, each governing board shall:
(1) establish, for each institution under its control
and management, goals consistent with the role and mission of the
institution;
(2) appoint the chancellor or other chief executive
officer of the system, if the board governs a university system;
(3) appoint the president or other chief executive
officer of each institution under the board's control and
management and evaluate the chief executive officer of each
component institution and assist the officer in the achievement of
performance goals;
(4) approve or deny the hiring of an individual for the
position of provost or deputy, associate, or assistant provost by
each institution under the board's control and management;
(5) collaborate with institutions under its control
and management to set campus admission standards consistent with
the role and mission of the institution and considering the
admission standards of similar institutions nationwide having a
similar role and mission, as determined by the coordinating board;
and
(6) [(5)] ensure that its formal position on matters
of importance to the institutions under its governance is made
clear to the coordinating board when such matters are under
consideration by the coordinating board.
(g) The governing board of an institution of higher
education may overturn any hiring decision for the position of vice
president or dean made by the administration of a campus under the
board's control and management. Action by the governing board
under this subsection shall be implemented by the institution
through appropriate action with respect to the relevant hiring
decision at issue, including rescission of an employment offer,
termination of employment, or termination of an employment
agreement.
(h) The governing board of each institution of higher
education shall annually submit to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each
member of the legislature a report regarding decisions made by the
governing board for the applicable academic year on any hiring of
administration in which the board approved or denied the hiring
decision or took action under Subsection (g).
SECTION 2.02. Subchapter G, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Sections 51.3522, 51.3523, and 51.3541 to read as
follows:
Sec. 51.3522. FACULTY COUNCIL OR SENATE. (a) In this
section, "faculty council or senate" means a representative faculty
organization.
(b) Only the governing board of an institution of higher
education may establish a faculty council or senate at the
institution. Before establishing the faculty council or senate,
the governing board must adopt a policy governing the selection of
the faculty council's or senate's members that:
(1) ensures adequate representation of each college
and school of the institution;
(2) requires the members to be faculty members; and
(3) except as otherwise provided by the governing
board, limits the number of members to not more than 60 with at
least two representatives from each college or school, including:
(A) one member appointed by the president or
chief executive officer of the institution; and
(B) the remaining members elected by a vote of
the faculty of the member's respective college or school.
(c) A faculty council or senate is advisory only and may not
be delegated the final decision-making authority on any matter. A
faculty council or senate shall represent the entire faculty of the
institution of higher education and advise the institution
administration and any system administration regarding matters
related to the general welfare of the institution. A faculty
council or senate may not issue any statement or publish a report
using the institution's official seal, trademark, or resources
funded by the institution on any matter not directly related to the
council's or senate's duties to advise the institution
administration.
(d) Service on the faculty council or senate is an
additional duty of the faculty member's employment. Members of the
faculty council or senate are not entitled to compensation or
reimbursement of expenses for their role as members of the faculty
council or senate unless the expense is on behalf of and approved by
the institution of higher education.
(e) A member of the faculty council or senate appointed by
the president or chief executive officer of the institution of
higher education in accordance with Subsection (b)(3)(A) may serve
up to six consecutive one-year terms and then may only be
reappointed after the second anniversary of the last day of the
member's most recent term. A member of the faculty council or
senate elected by a vote of the faculty of the member's respective
college or school serves a two-year term, staggered in a manner that
allows approximately one-half of the elected members to be elected
each year, and may only be reelected after the second anniversary of
the last day of the member's most recent term.
(f) A faculty member serving on the faculty council or
senate may be immediately removed from the council or senate for
failing to conduct the member's responsibilities within the
council's or senate's parameters, failing to attend council or
senate meetings, or engaging in other similar misconduct. A member
of a faculty council or senate may be removed on recommendation of
the institution's provost and approval by the institution's
president or chief executive officer.
(g) The president or chief executive officer of the
institution of higher education shall appoint a presiding officer,
associate presiding officer, and secretary from the members of the
faculty council or senate.
(h) The presiding officer appointed under Subsection (g)
shall preside over meetings of the faculty council or senate and
represent the council or senate in official communications with the
institution administration and any system administration.
(i) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to a
faculty council or senate.
(j) The faculty council or senate shall conduct meetings at
which a quorum is present in a manner that is open to the public and
in accordance with procedures prescribed by the president or chief
executive officer of the institution of higher education.
(k) The faculty council or senate shall broadcast over the
Internet live video and audio, as applicable, of each open meeting
of the council or senate if more than 50 percent of the members of
the council or senate are in attendance.
(l) The faculty council or senate shall adopt rules for
establishing a quorum.
(m) The following shall be made available to the public on
the institution of higher education's Internet website not later
than the seventh day before a meeting of the faculty council or
senate:
(1) an agenda for the meeting with sufficient detail
to indicate the items that are to be discussed or that will be
subject to a vote; and
(2) any curriculum proposals reviewed by the council
or senate that will be discussed or voted on at the meeting.
(n) The names of the members in attendance must be recorded
at a meeting in which the faculty council or senate conducts
business related to:
(1) a vote of no confidence regarding an institution
or system administrator; or
(2) policies related to curriculum and academic
standards.
(o) This section may not be construed to limit a faculty
member of an institution of higher education from exercising the
faculty member's right to freedom of association protected by the
United States Constitution or Texas Constitution.
Sec. 51.3523. SHARED GOVERNANCE. (a) In this section,
"governing board" and "institution of higher education" have the
meanings assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) Institutions of higher education in this state shall be
governed by a principle of shared governance, which refers to a
structured decision-making process in which the governing board of
the institution exercises ultimate authority and responsibility
for institutional oversight, financial stewardship, and policy
implementation, while allowing for appropriate consultation with
faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders on matters related
to academic policy and institutional operations. The principle of
shared governance may not be construed to diminish the authority of
the governing board to make final decisions in the best interest of
the institution, students, and taxpayers.
(c) Administrators at institutions of higher education must
make decisions in a manner that promotes efficiency,
accountability, and responsiveness to state priorities, workforce
needs, and the institution's institutional mission. Faculty and
staff may provide recommendations on academic matters, but that
input is only advisory in nature, ensuring that governing boards
and institutional leadership retain clear and ultimate
decision-making authority. Shared governance structures may not be
used to obstruct, delay, or undermine necessary institutional
reforms or serve as a mechanism for advancing ideological or
political agendas.
Sec. 51.3541. RESPONSIBILITY OF PRESIDENT OR CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER. (a) In this section, "governing board" and
"institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by
Section 61.003.
(b) The president or chief executive officer of an
institution of higher education shall conduct annual evaluations
for individuals who hold the positions of vice president, provost,
dean, or a similar leadership position that oversees curriculum or
student affairs for the institution and report to the institution's
governing board regarding any decision to remove an individual from
a position described by this subsection.
SECTION 2.03. Section 51.913, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(a) In [As used in] this section:
(1) "Executive[, the term "executive] search
committee" means [shall mean] a committee formed by an act of a
board of regents of an institution of higher education, which has as
its primary purpose the evaluation and assessment of candidates and
nominees for the position of president or chief executive officer
of a system administration, institution of higher education, or
other agency of higher education [as defined in Section 61.003 of
this code].
(2) "Institution of higher education" and "other
agency of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section
61.003.
(c) The membership of an executive search committee for a
president or chief executive officer of an institution of higher
education must include at least two members of the institution's
governing board with at least one of those members serving as the
chair.
SECTION 2.04. Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 51.9431 to read as follows:
Sec. 51.9431. GRIEVANCE, HIRING, AND DISCIPLINE
DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY. (a) In this section, "institution of
higher education" and "university system" have the meanings
assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) Only the president or chief executive officer or provost
of an institution of higher education, university system
administration, or the president's or chief executive officer's,
provost's, or administration's designee may be involved in
decision-making regarding review of a faculty grievance, including
under Section 51.960, or the faculty discipline process.
(c) A faculty member of an institution of higher education
who does not serve in an administrative leadership position may not
have final decision-making authority on the hiring of an individual
for any faculty or administrative leadership position at the
institution.
ARTICLE 3. COORDINATION AND OVERSIGHT OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
EDUCATION
SECTION 3.01. Section 61.031, Education Code, is reenacted
and amended to read as follows:
Sec. 61.031. OFFICE OF OMBUDSMAN [PUBLIC INFORMATION AND
COMPLAINTS]. (a) In this section:
(1) "Office" means the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman established under this
section.
(2) "Ombudsman" means the individual serving as
ombudsman for the office.
(b) The board shall establish the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman to serve as an
intermediary between the legislature and the public and
institutions of higher education, including by answering questions
from the legislature and the public regarding the obligations of an
institution of higher education to students, faculty, employees,
and the public. The office shall perform the functions described by
this section and coordinate the board's compliance monitoring
functions under Section 61.035. The ombudsman shall serve as the
director of compliance and monitoring.
(b-1) The governor, with the advice and consent of the
senate, shall appoint a person to serve as ombudsman. The ombudsman
serves at the pleasure of the governor.
(c) The office shall receive and, if necessary, investigate
complaints submitted in accordance with Subsection (d) regarding an
institution of higher education's failure to comply with:
(1) Section 51.315;
(2) Section 51.3522;
(3) Section 51.3525;
(4) Section 51.3541;
(5) Section 51.9431; and
(6) Section 61.0522.
(d) A student or faculty or staff member at an institution
of higher education who has reason to believe an institution of
higher education has failed to comply with a provision listed under
Subsection (c) may submit a written complaint to the office that:
(1) provides the individual's name and contact
information;
(2) states the specific statute the individual
believes has been violated; and
(3) includes specific facts supporting the
allegation, including:
(A) relevant dates;
(B) identifying information regarding the
individuals involved; and
(C) any supporting evidence in the individual's
possession.
(d-1) An individual is not eligible to file a complaint
under Subsection (d) if the individual has filed with another state
agency, a federal agency, or a court, as applicable, one of the
following against the institution of higher education that is the
subject of the complaint:
(1) a lawsuit that makes the same or similar
allegations or arises out of the same factual situation; or
(2) an administrative complaint that makes the same or
similar allegations or arises out of the same factual situation.
(d-2) The office shall dismiss any complaint that the office
determines was filed in violation of Subsection (d-1).
(d-3) An individual who knowingly submits a false complaint
under Subsection (d) shall be held responsible for any costs
incurred by the office in conducting an investigation resulting
from the false complaint. The office may refuse to investigate a
future complaint filed by an individual who is found to have
knowingly filed a false complaint.
(e) The office [board] shall maintain a file on each written
complaint filed with the board. The file must include:
(1) the name of the individual [person] who filed the
complaint;
(2) the date the complaint is received by the board;
(3) the subject matter of the complaint;
(4) the name of each individual [person] contacted in
relation to the complaint;
(5) a summary of the results of the review or
investigation of the complaint; and
(6) an explanation of the reason the file was closed,
if the office [board] closed the file without taking action other
than to investigate the complaint.
(f) [(b)] The office [board] shall provide to the
individual [person] filing the complaint and to each individual
alleged to be involved in the failure to comply [person who is a
subject of the complaint] a copy of the office's [board's] policies
and procedures relating to complaint investigation and resolution.
(g) The office shall notify the governing board of the
institution of higher education that is the subject of a complaint
of noncompliance that meets the requirements under Subsection (d)
not later than the fifth day after the date the office receives the
complaint. The governing board of the institution shall respond to
the complaint not later than the 175th day after the date the
governing board receives the notice unless the office has granted
an extension for good cause.
(h) In investigating a complaint of noncompliance regarding
an institution of higher education received under this section, the
office may request information from the institution. The governing
board of the institution shall respond in writing to the office's
written request for information not later than the 30th day after
the date the institution receives the request. This subsection may
not be construed to require an institution to provide privileged
information to the office.
(i) Based on findings related to an investigation under this
section, the office shall submit to the governing board of the
institution of higher education that is the subject of an
investigation under this section a report on the investigation that
includes the office's final determination regarding the
investigation and recommendations based on the conclusions of the
investigation.
(j) [(c)] The office [board], at least quarterly until
final disposition of the complaint, shall notify the individual
[person] filing the complaint and each individual alleged to be
involved in the failure to comply [person who is a subject of the
complaint] of the status of the investigation unless the notice
would jeopardize an undercover investigation.
(k) If, not later than the 180th day after the date the
office submits the report under Subsection (i) to the governing
board of an institution of higher education that is the subject of
an investigation under this section, the office determines the
governing board has not resolved any noncompliance issues
identified in the report, the office shall submit to the ombudsman
and state auditor a report on the noncompliance that includes the
office's recommendations.
(l) On receipt of a report under Subsection (k), the
ombudsman may recommend to the legislature that the institution of
higher education not be allowed to spend money appropriated to the
institution for a state fiscal year until the institution's
governing board certifies compliance and the state auditor confirms
the institution's compliance.
(m) [(d)] Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
information that relates to a current, former, or prospective
applicant or student of an educational institution and that is
obtained, received, or held by the office [board] for the purpose of
providing assistance with access to postsecondary education is
confidential and excepted from disclosure under Chapter 552,
Government Code, and may only be released in conformity with the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C.
Section 1232g). The office [board] may withhold information
prohibited from being disclosed under this subsection without
requesting a decision from the attorney general under Subchapter G,
Chapter 552, Government Code.
(n) The office may:
(1) issue a civil investigative demand in the same
manner as the procedures prescribed by Subchapter B, Chapter 140B,
Civil Practice and Remedies Code, for civil investigative demands
issued by the attorney general or a local prosecuting attorney
under that subchapter; and
(2) require cooperation from an institution of higher
education in an investigation under this section if the office
determines a complaint of noncompliance with a provision listed
under Subsection (c) is credible.
(o) The office shall annually submit a report to the
governor, the lieutenant governor, the state auditor, and the chair
of each standing legislative committee with jurisdiction over
higher education regarding:
(1) the number of complaints of noncompliance with a
provision listed under Subsection (c) received by the office;
(2) the number of investigations conducted and
substantiated by the office; and
(3) a summary of the results of investigations
described by Subdivision (2).
SECTION 3.02. Section 61.0512(c), Education Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(c) The board shall review each degree or certificate
program offered by an institution of higher education at the time
the institution requests to implement a new program to ensure that
the program:
(1) meets a national need or is needed by the state and
the local community, and does not unnecessarily duplicate programs
offered by other institutions of higher education or private or
independent institutions of higher education;
(2) has adequate financing from legislative
appropriation, funds allocated by the board, or funds from other
sources;
(3) has necessary faculty and other resources to
ensure student success; and
(4) meets academic standards specified by law or
prescribed by board rule, including rules adopted by the board for
purposes of this section, or workforce standards established by the
Texas Workforce Investment Council.
SECTION 3.03. Section 61.084, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (i) to read as
follows:
(d) The content of the instruction at the training program
shall focus on the official role and duties of the members of
governing boards and shall provide training in the areas of
budgeting, policy development, ethics, and governance. Topics
covered by the training program must include:
(1) auditing procedures and recent audits of
institutions of higher education;
(2) the enabling legislation that creates
institutions of higher education;
(3) the role of the governing board at institutions of
higher education and the relationship between the governing board
and an institution's administration, faculty and staff, and
students, including limitations on the authority of the governing
board;
(4) the mission statements of institutions of higher
education;
(5) disciplinary and investigative authority of the
governing board;
(6) the requirements of the open meetings law, Chapter
551, Government Code, and the open records law, Chapter 552,
Government Code;
(7) the requirements of conflict of interest laws and
other laws relating to public officials;
(8) any applicable ethics policies adopted by
institutions of higher education or the Texas Ethics Commission;
(9) the requirements of laws relating to the
protection of student information under the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g) or any
other federal or state law relating to the privacy of student
information; [and]
(10) an overview of the legislature, the General
Appropriations Act, and the state budget as those topics relate to
the responsibilities of the governing board;
(11) an emphasis on the commitment the members of the
governing board are making to:
(A) the institutions of higher education under
the board's control and management and, if applicable, the
university system;
(B) this state; and
(C) taxpayers of this state; and
(12) any other topic relating to higher education the
board considers important.
(i) On completion of a training program under this section,
a member of a governing board shall provide a sworn statement
affirming the member's understanding of the member's duties and
responsibilities.
ARTICLE 4. APPLICABILITY; EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 4.01. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
this section, this Act applies beginning January 1, 2026.
(b) A faculty council or senate established at a public
institution of higher education before the effective date of this
Act is abolished on September 1, 2025, unless:
(1) the faculty council or senate was established in
the manner prescribed by Section 51.3522, Education Code, as added
by this Act; or
(2) the faculty council's or senate's continuation is
ratified by the institution's governing board before that date
based on a finding by the governing board that the faculty council
or senate meets the requirements of any policy adopted by the
governing board under that section.
(c) A faculty council or senate authorized but not yet
established at a public institution of higher education before the
effective date of this Act may be established only in the manner
prescribed by Section 51.3522, Education Code, as added by this
Act.
SECTION 4.02. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 37 passed the Senate on
April 16, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11;
May 28, 2025, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 29, 2025, House
granted request of the Senate; May 31, 2025, Senate adopted
Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 20,
Nays 11.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 37 passed the House, with
amendments, on May 25, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 85,
Nays 56, one present not voting; May 29, 2025, House granted
request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
May 31, 2025, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
following vote: Yeas 83, Nays 47, two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor