H.B. No. 4499 aims to improve the governance of public institutions of higher education in Texas by establishing a General Education Review Committee at each institution. This committee will be responsible for annually reviewing the core curriculum and making recommendations on course offerings, with a composition that includes local industry partners and tenured faculty. The bill mandates that institutions publicly share these recommendations and requires governing boards to certify compliance with the provisions annually. Additionally, it introduces a Faculty Council or Senate to serve as an advisory body for faculty representation, while retaining the governing board's final decision-making authority over proposals.

The bill also outlines the powers and responsibilities of governing boards, including the authority to approve or deny hiring for key leadership positions and evaluate their performance. It requires that governing boards individually approve or deny recommendations from faculty councils regarding curriculum and academic standards, as well as postings for tenured faculty positions outside of STEM fields, with a minimum seven-day notice for meetings concerning these positions. Furthermore, it establishes the Office of Excellence in Higher Education to oversee compliance and investigations, mandates comprehensive training for board members, and sets stricter eligibility requirements for board appointees. The act is set to take effect in the 2025-2026 academic year, with certain provisions applicable to funds appropriated for the 2026 fiscal year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 51.352, Education Code 61.084 (Education Code 61, Education Code 51)