LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session March 19, 1995 TO: Honorable Irma Rangel, Chair IN RE: House Bill No. 1479 Committee on Higher Education By: Hilderbran House of Representatives Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on House Bill No. 1479 (Relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education for certain students) this office has determined the following: The bill would provide a one year college tuition and fee exemption for high school graduates who were dependent children receiving financial assistance (AFDC) under Human Resources Code, Chapter 31, under the age of 22 years, enrolled in college not more than two years after high school graduation, and classified as Texas residents. A second category of high school graduates who would also qualify for the one year tuition and fee exemption is those students who complete high school in less than four academic years. Higher education institutions granting such exemptions would be reimbursed for tuition and fees from funds appropriated to the Foundation School Program through the Central Education Agency. Since Foundation School Funds used for reimbursing institutions of higher education would have been otherwise appropriated, no addition fiscal implication to the state is anticipated. However, local school districts could experience a decrease in funding due to shifting some Foundation School Funds to institutions of higher education. No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The fiscal implication to units of local government cannot be determined. Source: Higher Education Coordinating Board LBB Staff: JK, MK, WRR