SB 2615 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to restricting telework for employees of public institutions of higher education.

SB 2615 restricts remote work for employees of Texas public institutions of higher education, requiring most staff to work on-site unless specific exceptions apply. The bill allows remote work only for employees with temporary illness, medical conditions requiring accommodations under law, or certain non-teaching roles that meet strict criteria (e.g., proven self-management, no need for physical presence or student interaction). It takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year, applying to all public universities in Texas. The law directly affects thousands of employees across these institutions by limiting telework options unless exceptions are met.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 13, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 3 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MINOR
The bill was finalized and enrolled with minor formatting updates and the addition of new eligibility categories for telework. The core policy restricting remote work for higher education employees remains the same, but the enrolled version clarifies the text and adds specific provisions for faculty members in teaching positions and during catastrophes.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on restricting remote work for employees of Texas public institutions of higher education, with no change to the overall applicability.
TECHNICAL

The bill text was reformatted from a draft version to the official enrolled version, including removing sponsor names and adding certification signatures from legislative officers.

ELIGIBILITY

New eligibility categories were added for employees in teaching positions who are not faculty members, faculty members on temporary research assignments off-campus, and faculty members providing telehealth services.

REQUIREMENT

New provisions were added to clarify that the bill does not prohibit instruction for dual credit courses at school district campuses or via telework, and to establish procedures for telework during catastrophic events.

Floor votes · Senate May 7, 2025 · House May 27, 2025

How they voted

2010
Passed
Total votes 30
May 7, 2025
D Democratic10
10 Nay
100% Nay
R Republican20
20 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
59
Key actions
18
Committee
10
Amendments
6
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Jun 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
Jun 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 31, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
May 30, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
May 30, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
May 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 27, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (92-51-3)
house
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
May 12, 2025
Committee
Referred to Higher Education
lower
May 12, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
May 9, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
May 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 7, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (20-10)
senate
Apr 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Education K-16
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors