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The transfer of the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) to the Texas A&M University System took a huge leap forward Wednesday when the Texas State Senate passed SB 2361, leaving only the Texas House to approve it and for it to be signed by Gov. Greg Abbott.

The bill was introduced in mid-March by District 18 Texas Senator Lois Kolkhorst, along with District 7 Texas Senator Paul Bettencourt. If passed by all entities, SB 2361 would take effect Sept. 1, 2025.}

In a statement sent to The Victoria Advocate, Texas A&M University Chancellor John Sharp showed his support for the potential transfer, and said it has been a long time coming.

òòò½ÊÓƵœToday, Sen. Kolkhorst passed a piece of legislation in the Senate that we from Victoria have dreamed about for decades,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Sharp said. òòò½ÊÓƵœThe Texas A&M University System will turn Texas A&M-Victoria into one of the premier campuses in Texas. I thank her for working so well, for so long with me and the Texas A&M System to achieve this.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

The transfer to the Texas A&M University System has garnered a great deal of local support as well, including from Victoria Mayor Duane Crocker and the Victoria òòò½ÊÓƵ Commissioneròòò½ÊÓƵ™s Court.

Former Texas House District 30 Rep. Geanie Morrison, who attempted to introduce a bill of the same caliber in 2011, has also expressed her support for the transfer. Texas House 30 Rep. AJ Louderback has also gotten behind the initiative and has championed a bill, House Bill 5150, and is pushing for it to pass in the House.

On social media Wednesday, Jonas Titus, the Director of the Victoria Economic Development Corporation (VEDC), said this: òòò½ÊÓƵœAnother great opportunity to engage the legislature on advancing more higher educational resources in the Victoria region. Senate and House bills are advancing to bring Texas A&M to Victoria! Thank you to everyone for the great work supporting these efforts.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

Louderback has been appreciative of UHVòòò½ÊÓƵ™s contribution to the Victoria community, but says the transfer to Texas A&M would be a huge benefit for the city.

òòò½ÊÓƵœThey have done a great job in so many ways, but I think that moving to the A&M system will have such a positive effect on the community itself,òòò½ÊÓƵ� Louderback said.