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.