MMA H.B. 2214 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


HIGHER EDUCATION
H.B. 2214
By: Delisi
3-29-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently, Texas Education Code grants veterans and their dependents
exemptions from tuition and most fees (granted under the Hazelwood Act).
However, the section for continuing education courses states that those
exemptions do not apply to courses for which an institution does not
receive formula funding--specifically, for purposes of this bill,
correspondence courses. This means that any institution can set rates as
it deems reasonable for these courses, and that veterans and their
dependents are not exempted from tuition and fees.   

Military personnel, both active duty and retired, often do not live in one
location for extended periods of time and, therefore, are not able to
attend classes in the traditional classroom settings.  Thus,
correspondence courses serve as the military personnel's source of a
quality education from one institution, as they move from one installation
to another. 

PURPOSE

H.B. 2214 would grant exemptions from tuition and fees for correspondence
courses to individuals currently eligible for exemptions from other
courses and fees. 

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. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 54.545(c), Education Code, by adding language
that makes an exception for tuition and fees charged for correspondence
courses taken by a student who qualifies for an exemption as a veteran or
veterans' dependent as set forth in Section 54.203, Subchapter D, Chapter
54, Education Code. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.