Relating to the tenure and employment of faculty members at certain public institutions of higher education.

HB 4997 amends Texas Education Code to require public universities to implement regular performance evaluations for tenured faculty and establish clear policies governing tenure and dismissal. The bill mandates that governing boards adopt procedures allowing dismissal of tenured faculty after due process for specific reasons, including professional incompetence, failure to meet job responsibilities, or violations of institutional policies. It clarifies that tenure does not create a property interest beyond continued employment and salary. These changes standardize faculty employment practices across Texas public higher education institutions.