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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
HB102

Regular Session

Relating to early registration for students in military-related programs at public institutions of higher education.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

HB102: Government Affairs Overview

Public institutions of higher education that offer early registration to any student group (e. g. , athletes, honors) must extend the same priority status to students in ROTC, the Corps of Cadets, or Maritime Academy programs.

Rep. Terry Wilson·House Bill·Regular Session

Moderate
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Business Impact

Who HB102 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: moderate

Notable regulatory updates (effective 2025-09-01). Consider how these changes may affect your operations.

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Education

Affected business types:

  • School districts
  • Charter schools
  • Private schools
  • Education service providers
View all education legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1IT & Registrar Coordination: No new hiring is required, but Registrar staff must be trained to process military "good standing" verifications.
  • 2SIS Configuration: IT teams must update registration algorithms (Banner, PeopleSoft, Workday) to tag eligible military students with the highest priority registration time slot available.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

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HB102
Relating to early registration for students in military-related programs at public institutions of higher education.
Moderate Urgency
Unanimous Passage
House Vote145 - 0
YEA
100% in favor145 voting
Senate Vote31 - 0
YEA
100% in favor31 voting
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
THECB
Primary Author: Rep. Terry Wilson
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: October/November 2025 (System readiness required prior to the opening of the Spring 2026 registration window).
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is required to adopt rules. Warning: Rulemaking may lag behind your operational need to configure Student Information Systems (SIS) for the Fall 2025 semester; proceed with a broad interpretation of eligibility until rules are finalized.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Immediately: Direct IT and the Registrar to create a specific student attribute code for ROTC/Military Cadets in your Student Information System.
  • By July 1, 2025: Establish a point of contact with all campus military detachment Commanders to formalize the roster submission process.
  • By October 1, 2025: Test the priority registration algorithm to ensure military students are assigned the correct time tickets for the Spring 2026 cycle.
  • Ongoing: Update the Student Handbook and website to reflect this new benefit as a recruitment tool.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • ROTC MOUs: Existing Memoranda of Understanding with military detachments must be amended to include a strict timeline for Commanders to submit "good standing" rosters to the Registrar (recommended deadline: 14 days prior to registration opening).
  • Cross-Town Agreements: For students attending your institution but participating in ROTC at a host university, you must execute data-sharing agreements to verify their status, as you will not have internal access to their military records.

Hiring/Training

  • IT & Registrar Coordination: No new hiring is required, but Registrar staff must be trained to process military "good standing" verifications.
  • SIS Configuration: IT teams must update registration algorithms (Banner, PeopleSoft, Workday) to tag eligible military students with the highest priority registration time slot available.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Verification Rosters: You must collect and retain certified rosters from unit Commanders each semester to justify early access privileges.
  • Audit Trail: Maintain documentation of "good standing" status for at least two years to defend against potential complaints regarding course availability from non-priority students.

Fees & Costs

  • Administrative Absorption: There are no new state fees or appropriations. Institutions must absorb the administrative cost of IT reconfiguration and manual roster processing.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • "Good Standing" Definition: The statute requires students to be in "good standing" but fails to define if this is academic (GPA) or military (conduct/fitness). Strategy: Until THECB rules clarify, defer to the military Commander’s designation. If the Commander lists the student, accept it.
  • Scope of "Early Registration": The law applies if an institution provides early registration to "any group of students." It is unclear if federally mandated priority (e.g., ADA accommodations) triggers this requirement. Strategy: Assume the broadest interpretation. If *any* student registers early, military students must also register early.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Mar 14, 2025
Passed House
Apr 15, 2025
Passed Senate
May 20, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsEducationEducation--higherEducation--higher--institutions & ProgramsMilitary & VeteransHigher Education Coordinating Board, Texas
03

House Authors

Rep. Terry WilsonRepublican · Primary Author
Coauthors (92)

Senate Sponsors

Sen. Kelly HancockRepublican · Primary Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

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More from Rep. Terry Wilson

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Related by Topic

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB102

Q

What does Texas HB102 do?

Public institutions of higher education that offer early registration to any student group (e. g. , athletes, honors) must extend the same priority status to students in ROTC, the Corps of Cadets, or Maritime Academy programs.

Q

Who authored HB102?

HB102 was authored by Texas Representative Terry Wilson during the Regular Session.

Q

When was HB102 signed into law?

HB102 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce HB102?

HB102 is enforced by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).

Q

How significant are the changes in HB102?

The regulatory priority for HB102 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of HB102?

The cost impact of HB102 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does HB102 address?

HB102 addresses topics including education, education--higher, education--higher--institutions & programs, military & veterans and higher education coordinating board, texas.

Q

What are the key dates for HB102?

Key dates for HB102: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Rulemaking: Adopt rules to implement and administer early registration requirements for military-related students (Prior to Spring 2026 registration window). Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026