Newly filed legislation would require the governing boards for public higher-education institutions to meet in-person.
State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) filed Senate Bill 724, which would require members of the governing boards of Texas’ higher education institutions to attend at least 75 percent of yearly meetings in-person.
“Following the COVID pandemic, I heard from many constituents that members of their college or university governing boards would exclusively meet virtually instead of attending vital meetings in person,” Kolkhorst told Texas Scorecard. “The pandemic is over, and so should all the COVID policies that curtailed our individual rights.”
The newly proposed measure states that if a board member attends less than 75 percent of the meetings, they must pay $1,000 to the higher-education institution they represent for the first violation.
After the second violation, the board member would no longer be eligible for reappointment to the coordinating board or any other governing board.
“Texas taxpayers send billions of dollars to these institutions, and I believe in-person participation at these important meetings is crucial,” added Kolkhorst. “As our State and our institutions of higher education continue to grow, we must ensure that staff at all levels are good stewards of the resources bestowed to them by the State of Texas.”
“I would emphasize that these governing boards of higher education institutions are elected or appointed representatives of the people, and by meeting virtually, rob the people of the opportunity to meet with their representatives,” she added.
The measure also allows the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt its own rules to enforce attendance requirements.
“The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is critical to the workforce development of Texas students, particularly when it comes to addressing glaring shortages such as nursing, teaching, or other occupations that Texans rely on,” Kolkhorst concluded.
The coordinating board comprises of 10 members appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott, while the commissioner of higher education is appointed by the board itself. Members serve until the governor appoints their successors.
The 89th Texas Legislature starts on Tuesday, January 14.
