House Bill No. 5339 proposes the establishment of the Higher Education Regenerative Agriculture Grant Program under a new Subchapter LL in Chapter 61 of the Education Code. This program, administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, aims to provide grants to public institutions of higher education for the study and implementation of regenerative agriculture practices. The bill outlines specific definitions related to the program, including "nonprofit organization," "program," and "regenerative agriculture," and establishes the criteria for grant eligibility, allocation, and use. The board is tasked with ensuring that research funded under the program is conducted independently and complies with state and federal laws, while also promoting collaboration with the State Soil and Water Conservation Board.

The bill also mandates the board to develop application forms, report templates, and guidelines for the program by January 1, 2026, and specifies that the program will only be implemented if the legislature appropriates funds for it. If not, the board may still choose to implement the program using other available appropriations. The act is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

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