House Bill No. 2850 proposes the establishment of a financial incentive program for public school teachers who commit to teaching dual credit courses. The bill introduces a new Subchapter QQ to Chapter 61 of the Education Code, which outlines the creation and administration of this program. Key provisions include tuition assistance for teachers pursuing a master's degree necessary for teaching dual credit courses, eligibility criteria for applicants, and requirements for entering into a written agreement with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The agreement mandates that teachers obtain their master's degree within a specified timeframe and teach dual credit courses for five consecutive school years.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the board will determine the amount of tuition assistance available and will deliver funds directly to the educational institution on behalf of the participants. It also includes provisions for reimbursement in cases where participants fail to meet the program's requirements, with a one-year grace period allowed for hardship cases. The board is authorized to solicit gifts, grants, and donations to support the program and is tasked with adopting necessary rules for its administration. The act will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

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