Relating to the accreditation of public institutions of higher education.

HB 1870 creates the Texas Higher Education Accreditation Commission to oversee accreditation of public colleges and universities in Texas. The commission, appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and House speaker, will identify and approve at least three accrediting agencies, conduct biennial reviews of these agencies, and rate them as unsatisfactory, satisfactory, or exemplary. Public institutions of higher education and the accrediting agencies they rely on are directly affected by this new oversight body. The bill establishes specific membership requirements, including employer representation in key fields, and prohibits former U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor employees from serving.