[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6579202,"mediaKeyId","3096774-5ef42a472cf3099d775d628491dc8916","parentId",3096774,"title","THECB staff report legislative session, budget status; financial aid funding splits between House and Senate","audioSeconds",344,"startMs",308000,"endMs",652000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096774-5ef42a472cf3099d775d628491dc8916&start=308&end=652","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096774-5ef42a472cf3099d775d628491dc8916/thumbnail_308000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6579202/Texas/THECB-staff-report-legislative-session-budget-status-financial-aid-funding-splits-between-House-and-Senate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579202-aaebce8869c26b682b641726c7521531/orig.mp4?Expires=1770762272&Signature=MNz7kkvbYxriAM9ergr0uFAoZ4CEYYMAoBSv6ShZbGlSCyJDkfCWiChQDTK7NSqBw7zdZvewZmERqp7thjjxoY4YcBRb6SzIQFrMuTUwQpJOV-D0THkl7qGOy8AckJahzwqFCYLQQJn5aPD~uUQdDyG-gUjoGz1OPdt9NTDijzlaLOa9dVnyiohsBhWft-EMSi6GBXd4fBjptKWZOb0VA2c9kZGLoY8dVgDJoMIYVWKx-RukzqxNBiCfXwsv7iXRom4rJIthc9ls~7f8v-pJVgQoYBPgff4nVM8oV9cATx3mxlVMgtB2UwpLTIjxSm0ZNHymiQZ8zoTD1keqq9Hprw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)","date","2025-04-23T16:14:58.223Z","article","THECB staff provided an update on the 88th Texas Legislative Session and the budget process at the agency operations committee meeting on April 23, 2025.

Glenn Broome, assistant commissioner for public affairs, told the committee there were \"6 remaining Fridays, which equates to 39 days left until sign die.\" Broome said THECB staff and leadership have been active in hearings and meetings and that agency subject‑matter experts have testified in House and Senate higher‑education committees.

Broome highlighted several bills and initiatives THECB is tracking or supporting. He referenced Chairman Van Heever’s HB 2110 (companion to SB 1786) as a cleanup bill that \"aligns with our definition of credentials of value and further strengthens our formula.\" He also noted HB 4909, which scales My Texas Future and direct admissions (My Texas Future houses direct admissions tools), reporting that \"today, there are more than 370,000 active users on My Texas Future and direct admissions ... we've had 9,850 students benefiting from that technology.\" Broome also referenced HB 4912, which would waive application fees on ApplyTexas for Texas students.

Sarah Keaton, deputy commissioner for administration and budget lead in the session update, said the budget process has progressed through both chambers and that conference committee work had begun. Keaton explained THECB had three exceptional item requests: two were fully funded in both the House and Senate as introduced (technology modernization/IT and cybersecurity, and funding to address a backlog in a research program referenced in materials), and the third—additional financial aid funding—was included in full in the House and at half of the requested amount in the Senate, where it was placed in Article 11, a holding area for items identified by the Senate as priorities but not fully funded pending conference committee deliberations. Keaton said, \"Going into conference, I think we are in a good position, to get strong support for that financial aid moving into conference.\"

Keaton also said the House and Senate approaches largely preserved level formula funding for general academic and health‑related institutions but that neither chamber included institutional enhancement funding, a significant source of support institutions use for various purposes. THECB will continue tracking contingency riders in conference committee that could have fiscal impacts on agency programs.

The committee did not take action on legislative matters during the meeting; the update was informational.

Provenance

The legislative update is recorded in the committee transcript and materials for the April 23 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Agency Operations Committee (AOC) 04/23/2025","oneSentenceSummary","THECB staff told the Agency Operations Committee on April 23 there are 39 days until sign‑die and that two THECB exceptional items were fully funded in both chambers while THECB’s financial‑aid request is fully in the House and partially in the Senate.","taxTitle","Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), Departments and Agencies, Executive, Texas","taxId",17243,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6579216,"Votes at a glance: THECB Agency Operations Committee adopts ethics policy, approves student loan software contract and consent items",1786,123000,1909000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096774-5ef42a472cf3099d775d628491dc8916&start=123&end=1909","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096774-5ef42a472cf3099d775d628491dc8916/thumbnail_123000.jpg","/articles/6579216/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-THECB-Agency-Operations-Committee-adopts-ethics-policy-approves-student-loan-software-contract-and-consent-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579216-678df1be14caa21e56c87cf03a7edcae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770762272&Signature=aro84~ZYcwch8NQUUmpHFs0BYswhGOoq0cv7GNY75CKXh3E7VV4Y8K-IwiH1eeJ2sY~AS4HDkhPc2kXOqSXZMZexyRXOkh9sxmM3wv25dop5GvvqUoh9zsiFLqiqg6XbfRLNCzQbJXQAhmKrT6catMhKyBUtzUYuKhjoMNJXbS6xiF4XqybdhjWY7ZiszxBkUPXV-y79zj7hOr3yQmMCNOzIB6dRz1R3AiYVdDkgLRQV-9UWdkhWWSFRrTM~WLpgo8JxL-IEkdFEfsSabNvHe0UsYorMDjyOGEnnsGZCdNun3Gis2wA-jbW6Kzv36h~PWf2jt1~dyrT714Nm1H8eEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Agency Operations Committee on April 23, 2025, approved several administrative items, including a revised board ethics policy and a contract for student loan management software not to exceed $11,500,000 over a maximum six-year term. The committee also approved routine consent items and its meeting minutes.

The actions were procedural but carry operational significance for the agency’s procurement and governance. Committee Chair Robert (Bobby) Wilson Jr. opened the meeting at 10:35 a.m. and the committee took votes on routine and substantive items later in the session.

Key outcomes

- Approval of meeting minutes from Jan. (motion made and seconded; motion passed). The minutes were approved by voice vote after a motion to approve was moved by Ashley Thomas and seconded; the committee recorded a unanimous voice vote in favor.

- Approval of the consent calendar, which included Agenda Item 5(a) (report on grants and contracts). The motion to approve the consent calendar was moved by Ashley Thomas and seconded by a committee member identified in the record as “Mr. Clement.” The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

- Adoption of revisions to the board’s ethics policy as presented by Nicole Buckner Henderson, general counsel. The committee voted to adopt the updated ethics policy; the motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

- Approval to contract with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to provide loan management software and related services in an amount not to exceed $11,500,000 and a maximum contract term not to exceed six years. The motion to adopt the recommendation to contract with PHEAA was moved on the floor and passed by unanimous voice vote.

All recorded committee votes were taken by voice; no votes in opposition were recorded in the meeting transcript. The committee membership present for the roll call included Chair Robert Wilson Junior; Vice Chair Richard Cover; Fred Farias; Juan Morales; Ashley Thomas; Emma Wolfson; Emily Wolfson; and student representative William Swartz.

Procedural details and provenance

The motions and votes are recorded in the committee transcript and materials for April 23, 2025. The contract authorization instructs staff to complete final procurement steps and return to the board with a signed contract per statutory procurement processes. The adopted ethics policy incorporates updates required by state law and the governor’s executive order mentioned in the meeting record.

The committee adjourned at 11:13 a.m.","The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Agency Operations Committee on April 23, 2025, approved a revised board ethics policy and authorized a student loan software contract not to exceed $11,500,000 over up to six years.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6579199,"THECB presents mid‑year financial report; internal audit and compliance updates delivered",319,1918000,2237000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096774-5ef42a472cf3099d775d628491dc8916&start=1918&end=2237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096774-5ef42a472cf3099d775d628491dc8916/thumbnail_1918000.jpg","/articles/6579199/Texas/THECB-presents-midyear-financial-report-internal-audit-and-compliance-updates-delivered","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579199-a1055bd4dec4b7039516d8eada46ef80/orig.mp4?Expires=1770762272&Signature=oI5X2hNnJ7NLLqen-6YcxGHYioUNMiqJ0Ee1oS006UB90Mzw68ZGeCHzH-pRcXLmbQhxtO2ebvWrA1m0PFgG~JpOaxywF7wVZcS10d6IHdxW~zglFTKiGXyIgwWP7QpYIUtWDgUhBMwi~qO3uCfgmbx-1bB-Uisy92bp267phWQVGQMrl7eLjKZgGlz3xuU88zASfF19gJBKcO7FV~aDWYcKuTd0aVPKmMnGU1mr7hnKT38Cyg6exqCLKNIW9kCVKpm-S5K-AuQr0Dik3yaBVhb9-tBca-JWAYsMfFIG8mkIAgwrs62NrEiSZUxQAMclgHb9emcSllnywdIvYh4vow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April 23, 2025, Agency Operations Committee meeting, THECB staff presented a mid‑year financial report for fiscal year 2025 and internal audit and compliance updates.

Anthony (last name not specified in the record), THECB chief financial officer, presented the financial report covering the first half of FY 2025, which is the second year of the current biennium. He said staff are monitoring funding availability and budget adjustments to align FY25 balances across the biennium. Regarding the loan portfolio, Anthony reported lower loan demand this year because of management debt limits and said the agency is monitoring market conditions and federal developments that could affect loan demand. He also noted the agency had conducted required hearings and submitted materials to the bond review board, and that the agency had received confirmation from rating agencies that the planned bond issuance would receive a high credit rating.

Arby Gonzalez, assistant commissioner for internal audit and compliance, provided a status update on audit activities. Gonzalez said the internal audit team is conducting work on medical education grant administration (planning complete for one portion; fieldwork ongoing for expansion) and on the academic program approval process; the team has begun initial planning for a community college finance audit. He said the agency is focusing on data management and is recruiting a senior internal auditor with IT audit experience. For compliance monitoring, Gonzalez reported completion of eight state compliance monitoring projects since the January committee meeting and that plans for FY 2026 compliance monitoring will be presented in July.

Committee members asked clarifying questions; no committee action was taken on these informational items.

Provenance

The financial report and audit updates are recorded in the April 23, 2025 committee transcript and materials.","THECB staff reported on the fiscal year 2025 mid‑year financial condition, noting reduced loan demand and high credit rating for bonds; internal audit and compliance staff reported ongoing audit work on grant administration, academic program approvals and community college finance.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6579206,"THECB updates ethics policy to incorporate Government Code and governor's executive order",129,975000,1104000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096774-5ef42a472cf3099d775d628491dc8916&start=975&end=1104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096774-5ef42a472cf3099d775d628491dc8916/thumbnail_975000.jpg","/articles/6579206/Texas/THECB-updates-ethics-policy-to-incorporate-Government-Code-and-governors-executive-order","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579206-832cc962800dab05939ccb5454c944fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770762272&Signature=PSp2sr-ksNQsFRqcpO1TQSm7SB3PEWFIKiGQFpdEXiFcpIijf2bGTKcR6RDkaMz5Wy2wq1qoikkgKz7TFpqHolwVJ6RtIj9rvRhUXxgiKgBULkeB686ZVToYisJpWutHwsp8Q9OM9URRZs~B5DLQ4fl1Hd8LQUWaYFOSdYdu6KhK7N48RS7iUfNywi5kLhGbKyoZ1N2i-FW7eX3-qFuRltDyIuVw0dhrsdgPfMMK1ODWmLtJuEZX5GcyIpYF5z4HwFBg~A4ou6asR7ydKHUoNa13la2v5HpwSwXhXauRF9~llp2N3B3~KSqnT8hSbWYpa~Vc0wksVvMmf6sV2HSdFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Agency Operations Committee of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on April 23, 2025, adopted revisions to the board’s ethics policy that align the policy with state law and the governor’s executive order GA‑48.

Nicole Buckner Henderson, THECB general counsel, presented the update and said the revisions ensure the policy \"applies with the governor's executive order, GA‑48,\" and clarify that conflicts of interest rules that apply to board members \"also apply to the position of commissioner of higher education when the commissioner is acting in the role or planning on authority delegated by the board as is permissible under the education code.\" Henderson also said the policy includes updated guidance on the acceptance of gifts and outside employment for agency employees.

Henderson told the committee the policy changes are \"required by law in the government code,\" and that the revisions provide above‑minimum standards consistent with state statutory requirements. The committee recorded a unanimous voice vote adopting the recommended changes.

Next steps

THECB’s Office of General Counsel and staff will publish the revised policy and follow any statutory posting or training requirements. The committee record documents that adoption of the policy was a final action taken by the committee during the April 23 meeting.

Provenance

The ethics policy presentation and vote are recorded in the committee transcript on April 23, 2025.","The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Agency Operations Committee adopted revisions to the board’s ethics policy to incorporate statutory requirements and Governor's Executive Order GA‑48 and to clarify how conflicts of interest apply when the commissioner acts under board‑delegated authority.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6579211,"THECB authorizes up to $11.5M contract with PHEAA for student loan management software",785,1134000,1919000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096774-5ef42a472cf3099d775d628491dc8916&start=1134&end=1919","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096774-5ef42a472cf3099d775d628491dc8916/thumbnail_1134000.jpg","/articles/6579211/Texas/THECB-authorizes-up-to-115M-contract-with-PHEAA-for-student-loan-management-software","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579211-4622fbd150a315f0af9c0076d61630f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770762272&Signature=Byk2LCSftzVUONixg3ZgfYv5tWxxl6qAAT5yF0Ab~Xc~b9yuW9kZ-peLL8nnluLiDA4InVBl1599PSI-uRp0Bf92ApQNBCgR9r~75wf0KoI67C2hl8TGZZ9NxaxvOPUypBVh0b94F0TuoGis~6tke35~yy3PLH1ehTh6OVIqFke2XtUSLbXGTYpWUf0r6lAtmP~4G3cTArC-5ZIMwdQx6Q6hVRqfEja930z~45jfxyaZsUY3n9q76i6913O4CDurTyVGhqgZgYgLT9Wd7L33DqhWkJ5fki9BQKMD7sAjLp9-xcXKPH-8af8hLLqM0FT22fEWnQ4f-DM9z4RZ4e-Kfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Agency Operations Committee voted April 23, 2025, to authorize staff to enter into a contract with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to supply student loan management software and implementation services in an amount not to exceed $11,500,000 and for a maximum contract term not to exceed six years.

Caitlin Yost, THECB assistant commissioner for contracts, procurement and grants, told the committee the agency issued a competitive request for offers after its legacy vendor announced it was winding down the product the agency uses. \"The agency's current vendor for these services provides us with a legacy software system that the vendor is no longer bringing into the main meaning,\" Yost said, explaining the need for replacement. THECB's evaluation committee recommended the PHEAA proposal as the best overall value, noting PHEAA will provide origination via a third‑party platform (Campus Door) and servicing via PHEAA’s proprietary system (Comus).

The contract is structured as an initial four‑year term with two one‑year renewal options (total maximum of six years). Yost told the committee the price includes implementation fees and ancillary costs and that PHEAA reported supporting more than 150 third‑party clients.

Board members asked operational and procurement questions during the presentation. Committee members sought clarity on whether PHEAA is a private firm or a public agency; Yost replied that PHEAA \"are a state agency for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,\" and that they offer services to third parties. Members also asked where data would be hosted; staff said THECB will seek an exemption from the requirement to use Texas data centers so vendor systems will be hosted on PHEAA networks, and that hosting arrangements will be vetted by the Texas Department of Information Resources for security compliance.

A committee member raised a transparency concern about vendor names appearing on the public agenda while negotiations continue; contracting staff explained the procurement statutes that govern the confidentiality of proposals prior to contract award and said the vendor name is included in supplemental materials.

The committee approved the recommendation to contract with PHEAA by voice vote. Chair Robert Wilson Junior recorded the motion on the floor and the transcript reflects a unanimous voice vote in favor.

Next steps

THECB staff will proceed to finalize procurement paperwork, request the data‑center exemption and complete required security vetting. The board record indicates staff will return with a fully executed contract and required procurement documentation per state requirements.

Provenance

The recommendation and committee discussion are recorded in the April 23, 2025 Agency Operations Committee transcript and the meeting supplemental materials.","The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Agency Operations Committee approved entering a contract with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to provide loan origination and servicing software and related implementation services, not to exceed $11,500,000 and a maximum six‑year term.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

THECB staff report legislative session, budget status; financial aid funding splits between House and Senate

Votes at a glance: THECB Agency Operations Committee adopts ethics policy, approves student loan software contract and consent items

THECB presents mid‑year financial report; internal audit and compliance updates delivered

THECB updates ethics policy to incorporate Government Code and governor's executive order

THECB authorizes up to $11.5M contract with PHEAA for student loan management software