Representative Nevarez Creates Opportunity for Rural Higher Education Institutions

Austin, TX — While bills cling for life as the 83rd legislative session comes to its final days, Representative Poncho Nevárez has worked tirelessly to make sure his district’s issues are fully covered.  Earlier this session, Rep. Nevárez filed HB 1351 that leveled the playing field among institutions of higher education when it comes to determining whether low producing degree programs should be eliminated.  This language would change the authority to terminate low producing programs from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to the institution’s Board of Regents.

On Wednesday, Rep. Anchia (D-Dallas) laid out SB 215 relating to the continuation and functions of the THECB.  This is a bill that gives universities and lawmakers the chance to raise concerns about the coordinating board.  The bill was amended by Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) in the Senate Chambers to include Rep. Nevárez’s HB 1351 language to change the termination of low producing programs authority to the Board of Regents, and it was passed by the full Senate.

However, there was an attempt to add an amendment that preserved the board’s termination authority.  Rep. Nevárez fought against the amendment to show that the institutions are just as qualified to make those type of decisions.  The amendment failed 124-17, while Rep. Nevárez’s language stayed on the bill.

“It was great to able to deliver this for our state,” stated Nevárez. “Now it is up to our Governor to follow through.”