BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2279

By: Middleton

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the cost of attending public institutions of higher education, particularly the costs associated with some institutions' policies requiring students to live on campus for a period of time. H.B. 2279 seeks to alleviate these concerns by requiring an institution that has such a policy to establish an exemption for students who cannot afford the higher cost of living on campus, subject to certain conditions.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2279 amends the Education Code to require the following for a policy adopted by a public institution of higher education requiring a student to reside for any period of time on the institution's campus:

· the policy must allow a student to qualify for an exemption from that requirement on demonstration that the cost for the student to reside off campus is less than the cost to reside on campus during that period and that the student is unable to afford the cost to reside on campus without incurring debt; and

· the policy must prescribe the procedure and documentation required for a student to demonstrate qualification for the exemption.

The bill applies beginning with the 2021-2022 academic year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.