Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official page posted by the Texas Legislature, fetched 2026-08-29. Where this bill amends existing law, language marked for deletion in the official page appears here in brackets. This is the enrolled version. The official bill page.
H.B. No. 3204 AN ACT relating to the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, including the college's eligibility to participate in certain programs. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 96.63, Education Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 96.63. POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE [JOSEY SCHOOL OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION]. (a) The Polytechnic College [Josey School of Vocational Education] is a division of Sam Houston State University and is under the direction and control of the board of regents of the Texas State University System [Board of Regents, State Senior Colleges]. (b) The administration of the college [school] is under the direction of the president of Sam Houston State University. (c) The college [school] shall provide career and technical education [vocational training] for individuals [over the age of 18 who cannot qualify scholastically for college entrance and for other persons] who desire to avail themselves of short intensive courses in career and technical education [vocational education in the following fields: agriculture, home management, distributive education, photography, plumbing, sheet metal work, machine shop, auto mechanics, furniture, electrical appliances, air conditioning and refrigeration, printing, radio, garment making, interior decorating, light construction contracting, photoengraving, watchmaking, and other trades of like nature]. The education [training in these subjects] shall be designed to lead to career and technical education certificates, as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board [organized so that the courses may be completed in from 9 to 24 months. Courses may also be offered in English and mathematics and other subjects which will contribute to the vocational training of the student. Vocational courses in government, designed to prepare workers in various county, city, and state offices, may also be offered]. (d) Notwithstanding any other law, the college shall be funded in the same manner as a public state college, as defined by Section 61.003 [The rate of tuition charged students shall be the actual cost of teaching service, not to exceed $500 per scholastic year of nine months. Scholarships may be awarded by the board to worthy indigent students who might greatly benefit from the training offered. The amount of the scholarships may vary according to the needs of the individuals, but in no case may it reduce the tuition payment by the student to a point less than the tuition fee regularly charged students at the state senior colleges]. SECTION 2. Section 56.401(2), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (2) "Eligible institution" means: (A) a public junior college; (B) a public technical institute; [or] (C) a public state college; or (D) the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University. SECTION 3. Section 61.09092(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) In this section, "lower-division institution of higher education" means a public junior college, public state college, or public technical institute and the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University. SECTION 4. Section 61.881(2), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (2) "Lower-division institution of higher education" means a public junior college, public state college, or public technical institute and the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University. SECTION 5. The change in law made by this Act to Section 56.401(2), Education Code, applies beginning with grants awarded under the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program for the 2026 fall semester. Grants awarded under the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program for an academic term before that semester are governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 6. The change in law made by this Act to Section 61.881(2), Education Code, applies beginning with grants awarded under the Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education (TRUE) Program for the 2025 fall semester. SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 3204 was passed by the House on April 23, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 137, Nays 7, 3 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 3204 was passed by the Senate on May 12, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor
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