The bill, H.B. No. 1830, proposes significant changes to the tenure and employment status of faculty at public institutions of higher education in Texas. It amends existing laws to prohibit institutions from granting tenure or any form of permanent employment status to new faculty members, effective September 1, 2025. However, it allows for exceptions for those who are already tenured or have permanent employment status as of that date, provided they remain continuously employed. The bill also introduces a new section that permits institutions to establish alternative systems of tiered employment status for faculty, which must include annual performance evaluations.

Additionally, the bill modifies various sections of the Education Code to remove references to tenure in policies and procedures, including the criteria for faculty dismissal and the reporting requirements for institutions regarding tenured faculty. It emphasizes the need for institutions to adopt policies that support faculty involved in teacher residency programs and to develop programs that recognize the importance of teaching at primary and secondary levels. The overall aim of the bill is to reshape the employment landscape for faculty in Texas higher education, moving away from traditional tenure systems while still providing some protections for existing tenured faculty.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 21.801, Education Code 51.943, Education Code 51.948, Education Code 51.9745, Education Code 61.057, Education Code 61.002, Education Code 141.001, Education Code 142.001, Education Code 51.942 (Education Code 21, Education Code 61, Education Code 141, Education Code 142, Education Code 51)