By Wise                                                H.B. No. 140
         77R228 QS-D                           
                                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     that reimburses students who receive a tuition exemption under
1-11     Section 54.203 for the cost of required textbooks and similar
1-12     required course materials.
1-13           (b)  To receive a reimbursement, a student must apply for the
1-14     reimbursement and provide proof of the expenditures for which
1-15     reimbursement is sought.
1-16           (c)  The coordinating board shall include funding for the
1-17     program in its funding formulas under Section 61.059.
1-18           SECTION 2. (a)  This Act takes effect immediately and applies
1-19     beginning with the 2001-2002 academic year if it receives a vote of
1-20     two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by
1-21     Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.
1-22           (b)  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
1-23     immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2001, and
1-24     applies beginning with the 2002-2003 academic year.