77R7565 QS-D                           
         By Wise                                                H.B. No. 140
         Substitute the following for H.B. No. 140:
         By Rangel                                          C.S.H.B. No. 140
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to reimbursing veterans for the cost of required textbooks
 1-3     and similar required course materials.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Chapter 56, Education Code, is amended by adding
 1-6     Subchapter B to read as follows:
 1-7                  SUBCHAPTER B.  OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
 1-8           Sec. 56.011.  ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS.
 1-9     (a)  Each institution of higher education shall establish a program
1-10     to reimburse for the cost of required textbooks and similar
1-11     required course materials a student who:
1-12                 (1)  receives a tuition exemption under Section 54.203;
1-13     and
1-14                 (2)  is enrolled in at least 12 semester credit hours
1-15     at the institution during the semester or term for which the
1-16     textbooks and course materials are purchased.
1-17           (b)  To receive a reimbursement, a student must transfer for
1-18     purposes of resale the textbooks and course materials to the
1-19     institution of higher education at the end of the semester or term
1-20     for which they were purchased, apply for the reimbursement, and
1-21     provide proof of the purchase for which reimbursement is sought.
1-22           (c)  The institution of higher education shall classify any
1-23     reimbursement under this section as a scholarship and shall account
1-24     for the reimbursement in the manner recommended by the National
 2-1     Association of College and University Business Officers.
 2-2           (d)  The legislature shall account in the General
 2-3     Appropriations Act for the reimbursements authorized by this
 2-4     section in a way that provides a corresponding increase in the
 2-5     general revenue funds appropriated to the institution.
 2-6           SECTION 2.  (a)  This Act takes effect immediately and
 2-7     applies beginning with the 2001-2002 academic year if it receives a
 2-8     vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 2-9     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.
2-10           (b)  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
2-11     immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2001, and
2-12     applies beginning with the 2002-2003 academic year.