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HB3204

Regular Session

Relating to the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, including the college's eligibility to participate in certain programs.

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-05-26
Enforcing Agencies

Sam Houston State University Administration • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) • Texas State University System Board of Regents

HB3204
Relating to the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, including the college's eligibility to participate in certain programs.
Low Urgency
Passed with Opposition
House Vote137 - 7
YEA
95% in favor144 voting
Senate Vote30 - 0
YEA
100% in favor30 voting
7
Total Opposition Votes
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-05-26
Enforcing Agencies
Sam Houston State University Adm...THECBTexas State University System Bo...
Primary Author: Rep. William Metcalf
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: May 26, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: August 1, 2025 (Recommended internal deadline to adjust FY2026 tuition reimbursement budgets and grant applications prior to the Fall semester).
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and TSUS Board of Regents will likely finalize specific tuition rates and approved "career and technical education" curriculum definitions during Summer 2025.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Audit HR Budgets: Calculate the financial impact of tuition rising from ~$500/year to market rates (approx. $3,000-$5,000/year depending on credit load) for employees currently enrolled.
  • 2. Engage Administration: Contact SHSU administration immediately to advocate for the retention of specific trade programs critical to your workforce before the curriculum is finalized.
  • 3. Update Legal Templates: Revise standard internship and workforce development agreements to reflect the new entity name.
  • 4. Prepare Grant Applications: If seeking state funding for upskilling, draft applications for the TRUE Program now, listing the Polytechnic College as your academic partner.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Workforce MOUs: Existing Memoranda of Understanding regarding internships or training pipelines with the "Josey School of Vocational Education" must be amended to name the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University.
  • Vendor Agreements: Procurement contracts where the vocational school is the "End User" must be updated to reflect the new legal entity to ensure proper invoicing and payment authorization.

Hiring/Training

  • Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Update education dropdown menus to include "Polytechnic College at SHSU."
  • Background Checks: Alert screening vendors of the name change to prevent "unable to verify" flags on education checks for graduates after September 1, 2025.
  • Grant Eligibility: The college is now a valid partner for TRUE (Texas Reskilling and Upskilling through Education) Program grants starting Fall 2025.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Grant Compliance: If partnering on TRUE grants, you must adopt THECB-compliant reporting standards for "career and technical education" outcomes, which differ from previous vocational reporting metrics.

Fees & Costs

  • Tuition Reimbursement: The statutory cap of $500/year is repealed. Tuition will now mirror the "Lamar State College" model.
  • Budget Impact: HR Departments must forecast increased reimbursement liabilities for employees seeking technical certificates beginning Fall 2025.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

The legislation replaces a specific list of trades (e.g., plumbing, printing) with the broad statutory term "career and technical education."

  • The Risk: Specific niche trades previously mandated by law may be deprioritized or cut by the administration if enrollment is low.
  • The Watch Item: Monitor the TSUS Board of Regents meeting agendas in Summer 2025 for the final approval of the degree/certificate inventory.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Feb 21, 2025
Passed House
Apr 23, 2025
Passed Senate
May 12, 2025
Signed
May 26, 2025
TopicsEducationEducation--higherEducation--higher--financeEducation--nonpublic SchoolsEducation--nonpublic Schools--vocational/avocationalLaborLabor--workforce DevelopmentSam Houston State UniversityHigher Education Coordinating Board, TexasTechnical Education
03

House Authors

Rep. William MetcalfRepublican · Primary Author
Joint Authors

Senate Sponsor

Sen. Charles SchwertnerRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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More from Rep. William Metcalf

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB3204

Q

What does Texas HB3204 do?

HB3204 legally reconstitutes SHSU’s vocational division as the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, repealing the statutory $500 annual tuition cap and aligning its funding model with public state colleges. Employers in the Gulf Coast and East Texas regions must immediately adjust tuition reimbursement budgets and update workforce partnership agreements to reflect higher costs and new grant eligibility. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: May 26, 2025 Compliance Deadline: August 1, 2025 (Recommended internal deadline to adjust FY2026 tuition reimbursement budgets and grant applications prior to the Fall semester).

Q

Who authored HB3204?

HB3204 was authored by Texas Representative William Metcalf during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB3204 signed into law?

HB3204 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 26, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB3204?

HB3204 is enforced by Sam Houston State University Administration, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and Texas State University System Board of Regents.

Q

How urgent is compliance with HB3204?

The compliance urgency for HB3204 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB3204?

The cost impact of HB3204 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB3204 address?

HB3204 addresses topics including education, education--higher, education--higher--finance, education--nonpublic schools and education--nonpublic schools--vocational/avocational.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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