If passed and signed into law, Senate Bill 37 would mark a significant change in the governance of colleges and universities. The bill would amplify the authority of schools’ governing boards and create a new state office to investigate higher education institutions' compliance with state law and board policies.

Faculty senates would have limited authority while governor-appointed boards would have more power, according to the Texas bill.

Senate Bill 37 would create an office to investigate complaints against universities, ensure courses don’t endorse certain ideologies.

Texas senators Bettencourt and Kolkhorst filed a bill Thursday that would move the University of Houston-Victoria to the Texas A&M University System.