Texas · Senate Bill 37 · 89th Legislature, Regular Session

Relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and certificate programs, a…

SB 37 Sponsored by Brandon Creighton Became law

  1. Introduced Mar 13, 2025
  2. In committee Mar 17, 2025
  3. Passed the Senate Apr 16, 2025
  4. Passed the House May 25, 2025
  5. To the governor Jun 2, 2025
  6. Became law Jun 20, 2025

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

Relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and certificate programs, a faculty council or senate, training for members of the governing board, and the establishment, powers, and duties of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman.

Every action

99 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 91 earlier steps
  1. SenateReceived by the Secretary of the Senate
  2. SenateFiled
  3. SenateRead first time
  4. SenateReferred to Education K-16
  5. CommitteeScheduled for public hearing on . . . · Senate Education K-16
  6. CommitteeConsidered in public hearing · Senate Education K-16
  7. CommitteeTestimony taken in committee · Senate Education K-16
  8. CommitteeLeft pending in committee · Senate Education K-16
  9. SenateCo-author authorized
  10. CommitteeConsidered in public hearing · Senate Education K-16
  11. CommitteeVote taken in committee · Senate Education K-16
  12. CommitteeReported favorably as substituted · Senate Education K-16
  13. SenateCommittee report printed and distributed
  14. SenateCo-author authorized
  15. SenatePlaced on intent calendar
  16. SenateCo-author authorized
  17. SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
  18. SenateRecord vote
  19. SenateRead 2nd time
  20. SenateAmendment(s) offered (FA1 Creighton)
  21. SenatePostponed (04/15/25 4:00 PM)
  22. SenateLaid out as postponed business
  23. SenateAmended (FA1 Creighton)
  24. SenateRecord vote
  25. SenateAmendment(s) offered (FA2 Creighton)
  26. SenateAmended
  27. SenateVote recorded in Journal
  28. SenateAmendment(s) offered (FA3 Gutierrez)
  29. SenateAmendment fails of adoption
  30. SenateRecord vote
  31. SenatePassed to engrossment as amended
  32. SenateRecord vote
  33. SenateCo-author authorized
  34. SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
  35. SenateRecord vote
  36. SenateRead 3rd time
  37. SenatePassed
  38. SenateRecord vote
  39. SenateStatement(s) submitted
  40. SenateReported engrossed
  41. HouseReceived from the Senate
  42. HouseRead first time
  43. HouseReferred to Higher Education
  44. CommitteeScheduled for public hearing on . . . · House Higher Education
  45. CommitteeConsidered in public hearing · House Higher Education
  46. CommitteeCommittee substitute considered in committee · House Higher Education
  47. CommitteeTestimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee · House Higher Education
  48. CommitteePublic hearing continued on . . . · House Higher Education
  49. CommitteeTestimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee · House Higher Education
  50. CommitteeLeft pending in committee · House Higher Education
  51. CommitteeConsidered in formal meeting · House Higher Education
  52. CommitteeCommittee substitute considered in committee · House Higher Education
  53. CommitteeReported favorably as substituted · House Higher Education
  54. HouseComte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  55. HouseCommittee report distributed
  56. HouseCommittee report sent to Calendars
  57. HouseConsidered in Calendars
  58. HousePlaced on Major State Calendar
  59. HouseRead 2nd time
  60. HousePoint of order withdrawn (Rule 8, Section 1(a)(1))
  61. HouseAmendment withdrawn (1-Wu)
  62. HousePassed to 3rd reading
  63. HouseRecord vote (RV#3467)
  64. HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  65. HouseRead 3rd time
  66. HousePostponed (5/25/25 4:30)
  67. HouseLaid out as postponed business
  68. HousePassed
  69. HouseRecord vote (RV#3535)
  70. HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  71. SenateCo-author authorized
  72. SenateHouse passage as amended reported
  73. SenateHouse amendment(s) laid before the Senate
  74. SenateRead
  75. SenateSenate refuses to concur
  76. SenateSenate requests conference committee
  77. SenateSenate appoints conferees
  78. HouseSenate refuses to concur-reported
  79. HouseSenate requests conference committee-reported
  80. HouseSenate appoints conferees-reported
  81. HouseHouse grants request for conference committee
  82. HouseHouse appoints conferees
  83. SenateHouse grants request for conf comm-reported
  84. SenateHouse appoints conferees-reported
  85. SenateConference committee report filed
  86. HouseConf. Comm. Report distributed
  87. SenateSenate adopts conference committee report
  88. SenateRecord vote
  89. HouseHouse adopts conference committee report
  90. HouseRecord vote (RV#4104)
  91. HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  1. HouseSenate adopts conf. comm. report-reported
  2. SenateHouse adopts conf. comm. report-reported
  3. SenateReported enrolled
  4. SenateSigned in the Senate
  5. HouseSigned in the House
  6. GovernorSent to the Governor
  7. GovernorSigned by the Governor
  8. GovernorEffective on 9/1/25

Roll calls

12 recorded votes: 10 on the floor, 2 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

CSSB 37 , Relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and certificate programs, a faculty council or senate, training for members of the governing board, and the establishment of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman; authorizing a civil penalty. — The motion prevailed · Full Senate

Passed 20–11
Apr 16, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 20 No 11
Democrats: 0 yes, 11 no Republicans: 20 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 20

No · 11

The bill was read third time and was passed · Full Senate

Passed 20–11
Apr 16, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 20 No 11
Democrats: 0 yes, 11 no Republicans: 20 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 20

No · 11

CSSB 37 was passed to third reading · Full House

Passed 83–53
May 24, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 83 No 53 Not voting 14
Democrats: 0 yes, 53 no Republicans: 83 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 83

No · 53

Not voting · 2

Absent · 4

Excused · 8

SB 37 was passed · Full House

Passed 85–56
May 25, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 85 No 56 Not voting 9
Democrats: 1 yes, 56 no Republicans: 84 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 85

No · 56

Not voting · 1

Excused · 8

Representative Shaheen moved to adopt the conference committee report on SB 37 . — The motion to adopt the conference committee report on SB 37 prevailed · Full House

Passed 83–47
May 31, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 83 No 47 Not voting 20
Democrats: 6 yes, 46 no Republicans: 77 yes, 1 no
How each member voted

Yes · 83

No · 47

Not voting · 2

Absent · 5

Excused · 13

On motion of Senator Creighton, the Conference Committee Report was adopted · Full Senate

Passed 20–11
May 31, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 20 No 11
Democrats: 0 yes, 11 no Republicans: 20 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 20

No · 11

Committee and other votes

DateWhereQuestionResult
Apr 8, 2025 Senate Education K-16 Education K-16: Reported favorably as substituted Passed 9–1
Apr 15, 2025 Full Senate CSSB 37 , Relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and certificate programs, a faculty council or senate, training for members of the governing board, and the establishment of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman; authorizing a civil penalty. — The motion prevailed
Members

Yes · 20

No · 11

 Passed 20–11
Apr 15, 2025 Full Senate The amendment to CSSB 37 was adopted
Members

Yes · 20

No · 11

 Passed 20–11
Apr 15, 2025 Full Senate The amendment to CSSB 37 was read and failed of adoption
Members

Yes · 11

No · 20

 Failed 11–20
Apr 15, 2025 Full Senate CSSB 37 as amended was passed to engrossment
Members

Yes · 20

No · 11

 Passed 20–11
May 19, 2025 House Higher Education Higher Education: Reported favorably as substituted Passed 6–5

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 6 cosponsors: 6 Republicans.

All 6 cosponsors

From Texas's official records (ftp.legis.state.tx.us), checked Nov 1, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.