This section establishes the schedule upon which the Coordinating Board will create updated lists of high-demand fields, essential occupations, and emerging occupations, and the amount of time that a field identified as high-demand will remain on a high-demand fields list.
  (1) Standard Regional High-Demand Fields.
    (A) The Board shall adopt the Regional High-Demand Fields lists for each biennium not later than its July board meeting of each odd-numbered year.
    (B) The new Regional High-Demand Fields lists shall be effective for each biennium beginning September 1 of each odd-numbered year.
    (C) Applying first to the High-Demand Fields list adopted under §(2)(B) of this section in FY 2024, a field that the Board removes from a Regional High-Demand Fields list shall continue to be funded as a high-demand field for the following biennium.
  (2) Standard Regional High-Demand Fields Conferred in FY 2023 - 2025. For calculating FY 2025 funding amounts based on the greater of FY 2025 credentials awarded or the three-year average of FY 2023 - 2025, the Coordinating Board shall apply High-Demand Fields lists as follows:
    (A) For credentials awarded in FY 2023, notwithstanding §13.594 (relating to High-Demand Fields Methodology), the Coordinating Board shall use the list of High-Demand Fields for FY 2023 adopted by the Board at its July 2024 board meeting, which it shall also publish publicly.
    (B) For credentials awarded in FY 2024 and FY 2025 the Coordinating Board shall identify credentials conferred in High-Demand Fields based on the list developed in accordance with §13.594 and adopted by the Board at its July 2024 board meeting, which it shall also publish publicly.
  (3) Emerging and Essential Occupations.
    (A) Academic fields linked to Essential Occupations designated pursuant to §13.595(c) (relating to Essential Occupations) shall be effective for the following biennium beginning September 1 of each odd-numbered year but may be renewed subject to approval of a new petition under §13.595(b) and (c).
    (B) Academic fields linked to Emerging Occupations designated pursuant to §13.595(d) shall be effective for two (2) fiscal years but may be renewed pursuant to §13.595(d).

Source Note: The provisions of this §13.597 adopted to be effective May 16, 2024, 49 TexReg 3270