HBA-LJP H.B. 2279 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2279
By: Naishtat
Higher Education
7/10/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, a student who was eligible for a tuition and
fee exemption at an institution of higher education (institution) because
the student received financial aid under Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) must have enrolled in an institution no later than the
first anniversary of graduation from a Texas public school to receive the
exemption.  However, many students may need longer than one year after high
school graduation to decide whether or not to attend an institution, take
any necessary tests, apply, and be accepted by the institution.  House Bill
2279 extends the time limit that an eligible student has to enroll in an
institution, from the one-year anniversary to the two-year anniversary of
high school graduation, to receive the tuition and fee exemption. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2279 amends the Education Code to extend the time period, from
the first anniversary to the second anniversary of the date of graduation
from a public high school in this state, by the end of which eligible
students must enroll in an institution of higher education to be exempt as
a student who received financial assistance under Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families from the payment of tuition and fees for the first academic
year. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 15, 2001.  The Act applies beginning with the fall semester 2001.