LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session February 21, 1995 TO: Honorable Irma Rangel, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 29 Committee on Higher Education By: Goolsby House of Representatives Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No. 29 (Relating to tuition-free higher education of senior citizens) this office has determined the following: The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill would allow senior citizens to enroll for credit in up to six hours of courses each semester without payment of tuition at all public institutions of higher education, including community/junior colleges. Currently, senior citizens are able to audit courses without paying tuition. It is assumed that if this bill is implemented students would chose to take courses for credit. The estimates below reflect the cost of additional formula funding due to increased semester credit hours generated by senior citizens at public community colleges, technical colleges, universities, and health-related institutions. The probable fiscal implication of implementing the provisions of the bill during each of the first five years following passage is estimated as follows: Fiscal Probable Cost Out Year of General Revenue Fund 001 1996 $249,000 1997 260,858 1998 272,715 1999 284,572 2000 296,438 Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as the provisions of the bill are in effect. Source: Higher Education Coordinating Board LBB Staff: JK, MK, WRR