HB 1233 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to measures to encourage the earning of industry-recognized credentials at public institutions of higher education.

HB 1233 requires Texas public colleges and universities to encourage students to earn "credentials of value" - industry-recognized certifications in high-demand fields, as defined by the Texas Workforce Commission. The bill mandates that institutions promote these credentials within degree programs, ensure credit transferability between schools, and allow financial aid to cover related costs. It also establishes an 8% benchmark for institutions to earn a "successful outcomes distinction" if at least 8% of graduates obtain such credentials annually. A task force, including education and workforce representatives, will develop a framework to help students earn multiple credentials alongside bachelor’s degrees within four years.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 10, 2025 Last action May 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · May 10, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was significantly restructured to replace a task force approach with a feasibility study and pilot project focused on industry-recognized credentials at public institutions. The new version removes the 'credential of value' designation system and the task force requirement, instead mandating a comprehensive study and pilot project to assess how credentials can be integrated into existing degree programs. This shift moves from establishing specific credential standards to exploring practical implementation barriers and opportunities.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from establishing a permanent task force and credential designation system to conducting a temporary feasibility study and pilot project. The applicability now focuses on identifying barriers and opportunities rather than immediately implementing specific requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the 'credential of value' definition and the requirement for the board to encourage specific actions like awarding successful outcomes designations to institutions.

Eliminated the task force requirement that included representatives from various institutions and required the development of a model framework.

Added a requirement for a comprehensive feasibility study to identify barriers and opportunities for integrating industry-recognized credentials into degree programs.

Added a pilot project requirement to establish partnerships between two-year and four-year institutions to reduce regulatory burdens and encourage credential integration.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Agency', 'Commission', 'High-demand, high-growth industry', 'Industry-recognized credential', 'Initiative', 'Quality career opportunity', and 'Self-sufficient wage'.

TIMELINE

Maintained the same reporting deadlines (March 1, 2026 for preliminary report and September 1, 2026 for final report) and expiration date (September 1, 2027).

Floor votes · House May 10, 2025

How they voted

0–36

Passed

Total votes 36

May 10, 2025

D Democratic1

1 Nay

100% Nay

R Republican35

35 Nay

100% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 20, 2025

Committee

Referred to Education K-16

upper

May 20, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

May 12, 2025

Introduced

Received from the House

upper

May 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to engrossment

lower

May 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Apr 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

Apr 29, 2025

Committee

Recommended to be sent to Local & Consent

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Committee

Referred to Higher Education

lower

Mar 10, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors