Relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education, including the establishment of a faculty council or senate and the decision-making authority of public institutions of higher education.

SB 1489 would allow Texas public universities to establish faculty councils or senates that serve solely in an advisory capacity. These bodies could not make final decisions on academic programs, personnel, or investigations, and would report to the institution's president. The bill requires all council meetings to be public with 72-hour notice posted online and in student newspapers, and mandates public recording of all votes. It clarifies that final authority over curricula, degree programs, and institutional decisions remains with the university's governing board, not faculty councils.