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.

Contracts

• Executive Employment Agreements: All contracts for Provosts, Deans, and Vice Presidents must be amended to include a "Statutory Override" clause pursuant to Sec. 2.01(g), acknowledging the Governing Board’s unilateral right to rescind hiring decisions.
• Faculty Tenure & Track Agreements: Review all contracts referencing "Shared Governance." Clauses implying binding faculty votes on curriculum or hiring are now unenforceable; language must be updated to reflect an "advisory only" status.
• Vendor Agreements: Review subscriptions with labor market data providers (e.g., Lightcast) to ensure they provide the "specific industry data" required by Sec. 1.03(c) to defend low-enrollment degree programs.

Hiring/Training

• Board Member Training: Regents/Trustees must complete new training and sign a sworn statement affirming their understanding of duties. This statement creates a liability record for future fiduciary breach claims.
• HR Workflows: Hiring protocols for administration (Deans/VPs) must insert a "Board Review Step" prior to final offer. Offers must be conditional upon Board non-objection.
• Search Committees: Committees for CEO/President roles must be restructured to include at least two Board members, with one serving as chair.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Annual Hiring Report: Prepare a new annual filing for the Governor and Legislature detailing all administration hiring decisions, including Board denials and overturns.
• Ombudsman Response Logs: Implement a tracking system for Ombudsman inquiries with strict triggers: 5 days to acknowledge, 30 days for information requests, and 175 days for full resolution.
• Faculty Senate Transparency: Establish a workflow to post agendas 7 days in advance, broadcast meetings live, and archive attendance records for all votes.

Fees & Costs

• Appropriation Risk: The Office of the Ombudsman has the authority to recommend withholding state appropriations for failure to resolve compliance issues.
• Operational Costs: Institutions must absorb costs for new General Education Review Committees and increased data analytics requirements. No new state funding is provided for institutional compliance.