House Bill No. 1870 introduces a new subchapter, Subchapter G-1, to Chapter 51 of the Education Code, focusing on the accreditation of public institutions of higher education in Texas. The bill establishes the Texas Higher Education Accreditation Commission, which will be responsible for approving accrediting agencies and conducting evaluations of their performance. The commission will consist of nine members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house, with specific requirements for membership to ensure representation from employers in target occupations. The commission is tasked with biennial evaluations of approved accrediting agencies, which will be rated based on established standards and published publicly.

Additionally, the bill mandates that institutions of higher education seek accreditation from approved agencies with satisfactory ratings and outlines procedures for institutions that receive unsatisfactory ratings. Institutions must take corrective actions within a specified timeframe if they fail to comply with accreditation requirements, and state funding may be withheld for noncompliance. The bill also allows the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt necessary rules for implementation. The commission is expected to be operational by September 1, 2026, and the act will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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