BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4848

By: Harris Davila

Higher Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that, as higher education costs continue to rise, Texas students and families are increasingly looking for degree pathways that are both affordable and flexible and that competency-based education (CBE) is an innovative approach that allows students to progress through coursework based on their ability to master a subject, rather than on the amount of time spent in a traditional classroom. Moreover, the bill author has informed the committee that this model offers flexibility for students who may already have real-world experience and who are working full-time, raising families, or seeking to reskill and upskill in a rapidly changing job market. The bill author has further informed the committee that, even though some institutions in Texas already offer CBE degrees, access remains limited and availability varies widely by region and institution and that CBE programs are not always aligned with high-demand careers in Texas. The cost of these programs can be a barrier to entry for many students, and expanding access to affordable CBE pathways could improve completion rates, reduce student loan debt, and better prepare students for Texas' growing workforce needs. C.S.H.B. 4848 seeks to address these issues by requiring each public higher education system in Texas to ensure one or more of its institutions offers competency-based baccalaureate degree programs in high-demand fields and by ensuring that these programs are affordable by capping their total cost to a student at $10,000, with an annual adjustment for inflation.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 4848 amends the Education Code to require the system administration of each university system, subject to Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) approval of academic programs under state law, to ensure that one or more public institutions of higher education in the system offer competency-based baccalaureate degree programs in each field of study in high demand, as determined by THECB rule. The bill defines "competency-based baccalaureate degree program" by reference to statutory provisions relating to the Texas Competency-Based Education Grant Program.

C.S.H.B. 4848 caps at $10,000 the total cost of a competency-based baccalaureate degree program to an enrolled student. However, the bill requires the THECB, beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, to annually adjust that cap for the preceding academic year by the rate of inflation for the preceding academic year, as determined on the basis of changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The bill authorizes the THECB to adopt rules as necessary to administer the bill's provisions.

C.S.H.B. 4848 applies beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 4848 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute includes a requirement absent from the introduced for the THECB, beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year, to annually adjust the $10,000 cap on the total cost of a competency-based baccalaureate degree program for the preceding academic year by the rate of inflation for that year, as determined on the basis of changes in the CPI-U.