Relating to the accreditation of law schools in this state.
SB 2533 requires all law schools operating in Texas at public or private institutions of higher education to maintain accreditation from an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (or its successor). This applies directly to law schools within Texas colleges and universities, mandating that their accreditation status aligns with federal standards. The bill adds this requirement to the Texas Education Code, specifying that accreditation must meet U.S. Department of Education criteria. It does not establish new accreditation standards but ensures existing law schools comply with recognized federal oversight. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, unless approved for immediate effect by a two-thirds vote.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 13, 2025
Last action May 21, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Engrossed
·
4 edits
·
May 7, 2025
MODERATE
The bill text was reformatted and corrected to remove extraneous metadata and update formatting inconsistencies. The substantive policy content regarding law school accreditation requirements remains unchanged.
Scope change
No change to the bill's scope or applicability; only formatting and metadata adjustments were made.
TECHNICAL
Removed metadata headers, page numbers, and document tracking codes that were part of the original introduced version.
Added proper bill title, sponsor information, and standard legislative formatting consistent with engrossed versions.
Corrected formatting inconsistencies in spacing and line breaks throughout the document.
REQUIREMENT
Updated accreditation requirement to include recognition by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Supreme Court of Texas (previously only U.S. Department of Education).
Floor votes · Senate May 6, 2025
How they voted
20–10
Passed
Total votes 30
May 6, 2025
D
Democratic10
100% Nay
R
Republican20
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
38
Key actions
12
Committee
13
Amendments
3
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Vote reconsidered in committee
lower
May 19, 2025
Committee
Failed to receive affirmative vote in comm.
lower
May 10, 2025
Committee
Referred to Higher Education
lower
May 10, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
May 8, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
May 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
May 6, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
May 6, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (20-10)
senate
Apr 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
Rereferred to committee
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Education K-16
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mano DeAyala
RRepublican
P
Mayes Middleton
RRepublican
Co
Paul Bettencourt
RRepublican
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