L E G I S L A T I V E P R I O R I T I E S
8 9 TH 
L E G I S L A T I V E
S E S S I O N

3
Introduction	5
HCC Legislative Recommendations	6
Improving and Enhancing HB 8 (88R) Implementation	6
Improve Access to Nursing Clinical Rotation Slots	6
Scale Workforce Partnerships	7
Support Agency Workforce Credentials	7

I N T R O D U C T I O N
Houston Community College (HCC) identifies in this publication its legislative priorities, offered generally to maximize opportunities for student success. Notably, HCC acknowledges the prior passage of House Bill 8 (88R), which fundamentally changes the method by which community colleges receive state appropriations, now based on outcomes (i.e., awarding credentials of value, completions, and transfers), in support of Building a Talent Strong Texas.
As the Texas Legislature convenes the 89th legislative session, HCC specifically asks members to consider the following legislative priorities:
Improving and enhancing HB 8 (88R) implementation
Improving access to nursing clinical rotation slots
Continuing to scale workforce partnerships
Developing state agency workforce credentials

Notably, each priority operates to help the state Build a Talent Strong Texas.
Serving as one of the largest community colleges in the nation, HCC enriches the community by delivering relevant, high-quality education and training, which ensures success for all students, the community, the economy, and beyond.
Our institution leverages its Centers of Excellence to connect students to advanced universities and to the region’s workforce. Moreover, with almost a third of the student body enrolled in workforce programming, HCC is providing much needed talent to the regional labor market. We are making a positive difference in the lives of our students, our community, and the state of Texas.
HCC welcomes the opportunity to collaboratively work with the 89th Texas Legislature with the intent of Building a Talent Strong Texas. As we seek to improve higher education, particularly as it applies to community colleges, HCC identifies its legislative priorities in greater detail in the pages that follow.

H C C	L E G I S L A T I V E
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S
IMPROVING AND ENHANCING HB 8 (88R) IMPLEMEN TATION 
HCC Legislative Recommendation
Ensure that state appropriations for outcomes are fully funded for FY25 and the FY26-27 biennium.
Amend the State Funding Performance Tier, allowing an outcome to count for students successfully transferring to a private institution of higher education after completing 15 Semester Credit Hours at a public junior college.
Objective
To promote the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s goal of Building a Talent Strong Texas.*

IMPROVE ACCESS TO NURSING CLINICAL RO TATION SLOTS 
HCC Legislative Recommendation
Advance strategic expansion of opportunities for clinical nursing education, despite out-of- state educational providers moving into Texas.
Assess whether existing circumstances benefit or adversely impact the state’s investment in existing programs.
Objective
To promote the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s goal of Building a Talent Strong Texas.*

Expands on the successes and progress of the 60x30TX plan by increasing employment opportunities and income for individuals; creates a deeper talent pool for employers and aligns students’ skills with workforce demands.

SCALE WORKFORCE P AR TNERSHIPS 

HCC Legislative Recommendation
Support the continuation and coordination of the state’s workforce education grant programs for community college students.
Programs should include but not be limited to TRUE, Lone Star Workforce for the Future, Skills Development Fund, and JET.
Objective
To promote the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s goal of Building a Talent Strong Texas.*

S TATE AGENCY WORKFORCE CREDENTIALS 
HCC Legislative Recommendation
Build on the success of existing law (HB 584/88R) that allows the Department of Information Resources to partner with community colleges to develop a credential for expedited agency employment that addresses workforce shortages.
Support new legislation that extends this opportunity to other state agencies.
Objective
To promote the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s goal of Building a Talent Strong Texas.*

Expands on the successes and progress of the 60x30TX plan by increasing employment opportunities and income for individuals; creates a deeper talent pool for employers and aligns students’ skills with workforce demands.

Houston Community College Board of Trustees 
Cynthia Lenton-Gary, Ph.D., Chair, District VII Laolu Davies-Yemitan, Vice Chair, District IV Dave Wilson, Secretary, District VI
Monica Flores Richart, District I Charlene Ward Johnson, District II Adriana Tamez, Ed.D., District III Sean Cheben, District V
Eva L. Loredo, District VIII
Pretta VanDible Stallworth, Ph.D., PMP, District IX
• • • Chancellor
Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D.

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