SRC-AAA S.B. 1788 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1788
By: Cain
Finance
4-18-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

A peace officer may become permanently disabled in performing his or her
duties.  Some officers are not able to continue employment as a peace
officer.  In these cases, an officer may not have the educational
background or needed experience for obtaining employment in another field.
This bill would allow eligible disabled peace officers a tuition exemption
to attend state-supported institutions of higher education. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1788 allows eligible disabled peace officers a tuition
exemption at attend statesupported institutions of higher education. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 54D, Education Code, by adding Section 54.2041,
as follows: 

Sec. 54.2041. DISABLED PEACE OFFICERS.  Sets forth requirements for
exempting certain students who are permanently disabled as a result of an
injury suffered during performance of a duty as a peace officer.  Requires
the legislature to account for the rates of tuition and fees authorized by
Subsection (a) in a way that does not increase the general revenue
appropriations to that institution. 

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the fall
semester, 1997. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.