House Bill No. 3296 proposes the establishment of a higher education consortium focused on civic education in Texas, along with a corresponding grant program. The bill amends the Education Code to create Subchapter Q, which defines the consortium as a collective of colleges and universities that will provide civic education at no cost to students. To participate, institutions must be located in Texas, designated as historically black colleges or universities, accredited, and compliant with state and federal laws. The bill outlines the eligibility criteria for institutions and the responsibilities of the consortium, including partnerships with local municipalities and organizations to deliver civic education through existing community programs.

The grant program established under this bill will allocate funds to consortium members for various purposes related to civic education, such as faculty recruitment, curriculum development, and community engagement initiatives. The bill also mandates the formation of an oversight committee to monitor the consortium's activities and evaluate the effectiveness of the civic education provided. Additionally, the consortium is encouraged to seek external funding to support its initiatives. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 academic year, pending legislative approval for immediate effect.

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