SRC-MWN H.B. 459 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 459 By: Carter (Moncrief) State Affairs 4/28/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Under current law, children of deceased or disabled police officers or volunteer firefighters may receive an exemption from tuition and fees under certain restrictions. H.B. 459 authorizes the student exemption to be for 120 hours rather than eight semesters as current law specifies. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 54.204(a)(1), Education Code, to redefine "eligible employee." SECTION 2. Amends Section 54.204, Education Code, by amending Subsections (c) and (d) and adding Subsection (e), to provide that a person is not entitled to the exemption if the person meets certain criteria. Authorizes a person, subject to this section, to receive an exemption only for the first 120 undergraduate semester credit hours for which the person registers. Deletes text regarding a person losing the right to an exemption. Deletes text regarding eight consecutive semesters, not including summer semesters, beginning with the first semester. Provides that a person is not entitled to an exemption for any term or semester the person begins after the date the person becomes 26 years of age. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001. Makes application of this Act prospective.